Between 3 and 4 o'clock, after how many minutes will the two hands coincide?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 16 4⁄11 minutes

Explanation:

Problem restatement
Find the exact minutes past 3 when the hour and minute hands overlap.


Given data

  • At t minutes after 3, hour-hand angle = 90° + 0.5t°.
  • Minute-hand angle = 6t°.
  • Coincide → angles equal.

Concept/Approach
Set 6t = 90 + 0.5t and solve for t.


Step-by-Step calculation
6t = 90 + 0.5t5.5t = 90 → t = 90 ÷ 5.5 = 16 4⁄11 minutes


Verification/Alternative
General formula: minutes past h o’clock for overlap = (60h) ÷ 11; for h = 3, t = 180÷11 = 16 4⁄11.


Common pitfalls
Using 60/11 blindly (that gives overlap after 12 o’clock), not adjusting for h.


Final Answer
16 4⁄11 minutes

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