Engineering Board Exam Reviewer · Clock Problems · hard

Meryl left her home past 3:00 PM as indicated on her wall clock. Between two to three hours after, she returned home and noticed that the hands of the clock had interchanged. At what time did she leave her home?

1. 3:34.47
2. 3:33.47
3. 3:32.47
4. 3:31.47

Answer

D. 3:31.47

Solution

Setting up the two clock-position equations (before Meryl left, and when she returned with the hands swapped) and solving simultaneously gives x=31.47 minutes past 3, i.e., 3:31.47.

More Clock Problems questions

1. At exactly what time after 2 o'clock will the hour hand and the minute hand extend in opposite directions for the first time?
2. At approximately what time after 12 o'clock will the hour and the minute hands of a clock form an angle of 120° for the second time?
3. What time after 3 o'clock will the hands of the clock be at a 90° angle?
4. It is now 3:06 PM. In how many minutes after the given time will the hands of the clock form a 20° angle for the 2nd time?

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