The Clock Problem
After a day of subtracting an hour every time I looked at the clock to know the time, I got off my lazy arse and climbed on the only chair in my apartment that seemed like it wont topple over and adjusted all the clocks to revert back from the daylight savings. Its in times like these when one is reminded that having a specimen of the male species in the house wouldn’t really be that bad an idea. That, and when I need to open those impossible-to-open jam bottles.
Anyways, while I was adjusting the clocks, I was reminded of this question someone asked me sometime back,
At what time between 3 and 4 o’clock will the hands of a clock be in a straight line?
Well, you dont get the exact answer by moving the hands of the clock around, like i tried. But theres an answer, I assure you. Try it out!
3:49:5.454546 or 49.090909 mins after 3.
Very interesting post. All we need to remember is that the mins hand moves at 360 degress/hr and hour hand moves at 30 degress per hour. You try to figure out how long it takes for min hand to gain 270 degrees on hour hand.
Comment by nema — November 1, 2005 @ 4:17 am
that was quick, Nema!the min hand would need 49.090909 mins to gain 270 degrees on the hour hand..
and welcome to Dutch Diary..=)
Comment by Sue — November 1, 2005 @ 11:53 am
Thanks, and I see that my URL got completely whacked out
its http:\spaces.msn.commemberspkblog I look forward to blog some interesting puzzle on mine too
Comment by nema — November 2, 2005 @ 5:30 am