Multiple choice

At what time between 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock will the hands of a clock point in opposite directions?

  1. 56 5 11 minutes past 4

  2. 54 6 11 minutes past 4

  3. 52 9 11 minutes past 4

  4. 57 3 11 minutes past 4

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

At 4 o'clock, the hour hand is 120 degrees ahead of the minute hand. For the hands to point in opposite directions, the minute hand must gain 120 + 180 = 300 degrees relative to the hour hand. Since the relative speed of the minute hand is 5.5 degrees per minute, the time required is 300 / 5.5 = 54 6/11 minutes past 4.

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