Multiple choice general knowledge

At noon and midnight the hour and minute hands are exactly coincident with each other. How many other times between noon and midnight do the hour and minute hands cross?

  1. 5

  2. 10

  3. 11

  4. 12
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The hour and minute hands cross 11 times every 12 hours, not 12 as one might assume. This happens because the minute hand gains a full lap on the hour hand, and they cross at intervals of approximately 65 minutes (not 60). They cross at noon/midnight and 10 other times between, totaling 11 crossings in a 12-hour period.

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