Calculator Technique for Clock Problems in Algebra

The following models of CASIO calculator may work with these methods: fx-570ES, fx-570ES Plus, fx-115ES, fx-

115ES Plus, fx-991ES, and fx-991ES Plus.

Before we go to Calculator technique, let us first understand the movements of the hands of our continuously

driven clock.

For simplicity, let "dial" be the unit of one hand movement and there are 60 dials in the complete circle as shown

in the figure.

1. When the minute-hand moves 60 dials, the hour hand moves 5 dials. The ratio of the two movements,

hour-hand over minute-hand, is 5/60 = 1/12. Thus, if the minute-hand will move x-minutes, the hour-hand

moves by x/12 minutes.

2. When the second-hand moves 60 dials, the minute-hand moves 1 dial. The ratio of the two movements,

minute-hand over second-hand, is 1/60. Thus, if the second-hand will move x-seconds, the minute-hand

moves by x/60 seconds, and the hour-hand also moves by 1/12 of x/60 or x/720 seconds.

3. The relationship of hand-movements can also be translated in terms of degree unit which I found handy in

calculator technique for board exam problems. We know that a complete circle is equal to 360 and equal to 60

dials. Thus, 1 dial is equivalent to 360/60 = 6 and five dials is equivalent to 5(6) = 30. Note that 1 dial

move of the minute-hand is equivalent to 1 minute of time, and five dials move of the hour-hand is equivalent

to 1 hour of time.

Knowing all of the above, we can now develop the calculator technique for solving clock-related problem. We will

solve some example here in order to apply this time saving technique.

Problem

What time after 3:00 o'clock will the minute-hand and the hour-hand of the clock be (a) together for the first time,

(b) perpendicular for the first time, and (c) in straight line for the first time?

Traditional Solution

Part (a): The hands of the clock are together for the first time
x=15+x12x=15+x12
1112x=151112x=15

x=16.36x=16.36
Time = 3:16:21.82

Part (b): The hands of the clock are perpendicular for the first time

x=15+x12+15x=15+x12+15
1112x=301112x=30

x=32.73x=32.73

Time = 7:32:43.64

Part (c): The hands of the clock are in straight line for the first time

x=15+x12+30x=15+x12+30
1112x=451112x=45

x=49.09x=49.09

Time = 7:49:5.45

Solution by Calculator
The following calculator keys will be used.

Name Key Operation Name Key Operation

Shift SHIFT Stat SHIFT 1[STAT]

Mode MODE AC AC
The relationship between the movements of the clock hands is linear. We can therefore use the Linear Regression in

STAT mode.

Approach No. 1

Take 3:00 pm as reference point. Initially, the minute-hand of the clock is at 0 dial and the hour-hand of the clock

is advance by 15 dials, thus, coordinates (0, 15). After 1 hour (4:00 pm), the minute-hand advanced by 60 dials

leaving the hour-hand 40 dials, thus, coordinates (60, -40).

MODE 3:STAT 2:A+BX

X Y
0 15
60 -40

(a) Together for the first time: The distance between the hands of the clock is zero. We will therefore find X when Y

is zero in our table.

AC 0 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret

0x-caret = 16.36

Thus, time = 3:16.36 pm

(b) Perpendicular for the first time: The hour-hand is behind by 15 dials by the minute hand. Let us find X when Y

is -15.

AC -15 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret

-15x-caret = 32.73

Thus, time = 3:32.73 pm

(c) Straight line for the first time: The hour-hand is behind by 30 dials by the minute hand, thus find X when Y is

-30.

AC -30 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret

-30x-caret = 49.09

Thus, time = 3:49.09 pm

The above approach works fine but you need to mentally visualize the hands of the clock to get the proper sign

(positive or negative) and value of the coordinates. See for example if the given time is 10:00 pm, the hands will

be in straight line for the first time with the hour hand advancing the minute hand by 30 dials. Thus Y is +30 and

not -30. This mental visualization takes the same effort as the traditional solution; the only difference is the

absence of drawing. Without the drawing is good already but we can do better than that. The next approach will be

more consistent, the only catch is that you need to memorize the numbers 30 and 330. I think it is not hard to

memorize that numbers.

Approach No. 2

In the first approach, both X and Y are in dial units. In this second approach, the X coordinate will be in dial and Y

coordinates in degrees. Recall that in 1 hour, the hour-hand will move 5 dials equivalent to 30 and the minute-

hand moves for 60 dials or 360. The 1 hour difference is therefore 360 - 30 = 330 for the hour and minute-

hands of the clock. At 3:00 pm, the minute-hand is at -90 in reference with the hour-hand, thus coordinates (0,

-90). After 1 hour, that is at 4:00 pm, the minute hand advanced the right hand by 330 - 90 = 240, thus

coordinates (60, 240)

MODE 3:STAT 2:A+BX

X Y Explanation
0 -90 -3 30
60 240 330 - 90

(a) Together for the first time: The angle between the hands of the clock is zero. Find X when Y is zero in our table.

AC 0 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret

0x-caret = 16.36

Thus, time = 3:16.36 pm

(b) Perpendicular for the first time: The angle between the hour-hand and minute-hand is 90. Let us find X when

Y is 90.

AC 90 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret

90x-caret = 32.73

Thus, time = 3:32.73 pm

(c) Straight line for the first time: The angle between the hour-hand and minute-hand is 180, thus find X when Y

is 180.

AC 180 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret

180x-caret = 49.09

Thus, time = 3:49.09 pm

For me, the second approach is more rapid and easy to implement. I recommend you master just one and be good

at it.

Problem

How soon after 5:00 o'clock will the hands of the clock form a (a) 60-degree angle for the first time, (b) 60-degree

angle for the second time, and (c) 150-degree angle?

Solution by Calculator Technique

MODE 3:STAT 2:A+BX

X Y Explanation
0 -150 -5 30
60 180 330 - 150

(a) 60-degree angle for the first time

AC -60 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret

-60x-caret = 16.36 minutes answer

(b) 60-degree angle for the second time

AC 60 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret

60x-caret = 38.18 minutes answer

(c) 150-degree angle

AC 150 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 4:x-caret

150x-caret = 54.54 minutes answer

There are 12 dial units in the clock. Every time the minute hand completes 12 dials, the hour hand moves 1 dial.
Thus, if the minute hand moves by x the hour hand moves by x/12.

Key equations:

xx = distance traveled by the minute hand (in minutes)

x12x12 = distance traveled by the hour hand (in minutes)

There are three common questions in clock problems; (1) time when the hands of the clock are together, (2) time
when the hands of the clock are perpendicular to each other, and (3) time when the hands of the clock form a
straight line.

The following are the distances between the hands of the clock:
(1) Together = 0
(2) Perpendicular (90 to each other) = 15 minutes
(3) Straight line (opposite each other) = 30 minutes

The table below is provided for the sake of completeness of this post.

Dial position No. of minutes

12:00 0 minute

1:00 5 minutes

2:00 10 minutes

3:00 15 minutes

4:00 20 minutes

5:00 25 minutes

6:00 30 minutes
7:00 35 minutes

8:00 40 minutes

9:00 45 minutes

10:00 50 minutes

11:00 55 minutes

12:00 60 minutes