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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Electrical Engineering Department
Legazpi City
INTRODUCTION
Clock Problems, a conditional subtopic of the applications of algebra umbrella; applying the
fundamentals to solve analytical word problems like: time, digits, work, motion, and clock. Variations of
the clock problem are prevalent in most Engineering Licensure Examinations in the Philippines, making
it crucial for exam takers to extensively understand; being able to translate visual problems into algebraic
expressions. Due to its prevalence in the board exams, clock problems are also frequent in tertiary level
mathematics competitions. The aim of this paper is to introduce the fundamental principles of solving
clock problems, and deriving shortcut formulas and methods to be utilized during a tense and time-
pressured environment such as; competitions and examinations.
This paper is structured progressively; it will not redefine properties and notations that were
already stated on previous sections. If deemed repetitive, subsections will be omitted.
DEFINITION 1.1
Minute Space and Hour Space are units
of distance, not time. There are 60 minute
spaces and 12 hour spaces in a clock, hence
there are 5 minute spaces in 1 hour space.
2 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas
By analyzing the sketch, we know that x is 20 θ = angle between the clock hands
minute spaces from the reference minute hand. 𝜃 =|𝛼− 𝛽|
𝑀𝑀
Then the hour hand moved x/12 minute spaces 𝜃 = |6𝑀𝑀 − 6 (𝑀𝐻 + )|
12
from the reference hour hand.
𝑀𝑀
𝜃 = 6|𝑀𝑀 − (𝑀𝐻 + )|
20 minutes x 6˚ = 120˚ 12
3 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas
Figure 2.1. 0˚ angle between clock hands Figure 2.4. Angle between4:20
4 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas
By analyzing the clock, we can infer that the For better illustration, let us plot the relative
movement of the minute hand to satisfy the points on a straight line;
condition; is equal to the sum of MH and the
movement of the hour hand.
Therefore, we obtain the solution;
𝑋 11
𝑋 = 50 + 12 → 12
𝑥 = 50 Figure 2.6. 90˚ after 2:00 line
X = 54.54 minutes Analyzing the sketch, we can formulate the
Shortcut Method following equation;
11 11
𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻 + 15 → 𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻 + 15
• 12 12
5 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas
12
𝑋= (𝑀 − 15)
11 𝐻
12
𝑋= (50 − 15)
11
𝑋 = 38.18 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
6 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas
Derivation of Formulas
a. If the given particular time is less than
6:00; the minute hand will overtake the 4. When will the hands of the clock be at an
hour hand before they form a 180˚ angle of θ after a particular time.
angle. In this section we will derive two general
formulas that encompasses all clock problem
questions when asked for the time elapsed
before the clock hands form an angle θ after a
particular time, including 0˚, 90˚, and 180˚; that
covers the variation such that when; (1)The
minute hand overtakes the hour hand before the
condition is met and (2)the condition is met
before the minute hand overtakes the hour hand.
7 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas
Algebraic Formula
60
X= (H + Hθ )
11 H
Example 2.5:
60 After 6 o’clock, when will the hands of a
𝑋= (6 + 1.1)
11 continuously driven clock form a 60˚ angle for
𝑋 = 38.72 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠 the first time
Given:
𝐻𝐻 = 6
b. The condition is met before the minute 60
𝐻𝜃 = =2
hand overtakes the hour hand 30
Algebraic Formula
60
𝑋= (𝐻 − 𝐻𝜃)
11 𝐻
60
𝑋= (6 − 2)
11
𝑋 = 21.82 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
Shortcut Method
Figure 2.13. θ after 6:00 Suppose that you are asked to find the
time after 7 o’clock in which the hands of the
plot the sketch as a horizontal line to gain clock form a 43.5˚ angle for the first time
a better visualization of the variable
relationships and convert MH and θ into hour We can merge the two conditional formulas into;
space notation; 60
𝑋= (𝐻 ± 𝐻𝜃)
11 𝐻
60 43.5
𝑋 = 11 (7 − 30
)
𝑋 = 30.27 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
With visual analyzation of the horizontal You have an option to convert HH into
line, we can derive the following equations; degrees instead if you deem it a faster method to
𝑌 = 𝑋 + 5𝐻𝜃 solve a particular question;
𝑋 2
𝑌 = 5𝐻𝐻 + 𝑋 = 11 (30𝐻𝐻 ± 𝜃)
12
Solve the system of linear equations for X 2
𝑋= (30(7) − 43.5)
11
𝑋 𝑋
𝑋 + 5𝐻𝜃 = 5𝐻𝐻 + 12 → 𝑋 + 12 = 5𝐻𝐻 − 5𝐻𝜃
𝑋 = 30.27 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
11 7:30.27
𝑋 = 5(𝐻𝐻 − 𝐻𝜃)
12
60
𝑋= (𝐻 − 𝐻𝜃)
11 𝐻
8 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas
Derivation of Formula
Let MHS = Minute spaces of the start time Illustrated as a straight line;
clock hour hand
Let MHE = Minute spaces of the end time clock
hour hand
𝑌 = 𝑀𝐻𝐸 + 𝑍
𝑋
𝑌 = 𝑀𝐻𝑆 + +𝜃
Figure 3.1. interchange start clock 3:00 12
Let us plot the relative points as a horizontal 𝑋
The hour hand moves 12𝐸 of the XE movement of
line;
the minute hand. By analyzing the sketch, we
can say that in terms of the start time clock;
𝑋
𝑋𝐸 = 𝑀𝐻𝑆 +
12
Figure 3.2. interchange start clock 3:00 line Thus;
We can derive from the line sketch that; 𝑋
𝑀𝐻𝑆 + 12
𝑍=
12
9 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas
Solution:
Algebraic Formula
Given the interval 2-3 hours, I will use the
greater value for MHE;
144 𝑀𝐻𝑆
𝑋= (𝑀𝐻𝐸 + )
143 12
144 30
𝑋= (45 + )
143 12
𝑋 = 47.83
Pedro left his home at 6:47.83 pm Figure 3.5. interchange start clock 3:00
And plotted as a straight line we get;
Derivation of Formula
We can observe that we have the equations;
We will let X be the time elapsed by the
𝑌
end time clock in relation to its reference angle. 𝑌 = 𝑀𝐻𝑆 + +𝜃
12
And represent the values of the start time clock 𝑌 =𝑋+𝜃
10 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas
Condition:
Recall the first equation derived from the end If in the given time interval, the hour hand of the
time clock; clock passes through the 12 o’clock mark, use the
12 lesser hour for MHE; if not, use the greater hour.
𝑋= (𝑀 − 𝜃) 𝐸𝑞. 1
11 𝐻𝐸 Excerpt from Basic Engineering
𝑌 = 𝑋 + 𝜃 𝐸𝑞. 2 Mathematics -Solving Word Problems by Engr. Kim
𝑌
𝑌 = 𝑀𝐻𝑆 + + 𝜃 𝐸𝑞. 3 Arvin P. Leocadio of Bicol University.
12
A proof on why such specifications
Because it is now unnecessary to our solution;
should be put in place, is not within the scope of
subtract Y from the system of equations;
this paper.
𝑌 = 𝑋 + 𝜃 𝐸𝑞. 2
𝑌
𝑌 = 𝑀𝐻𝑆 + + 𝜃 𝐸𝑞. 3
12
12
𝑋+𝜃 = (𝑀 + 𝜃)𝐸𝑞. 4
11 𝐻𝑆
We would like to represent X in terms of known
values; one way is to solve for θ in terms of
known variables;
12
𝑋+𝜃 = (𝑀 + 𝜃)𝐸𝑞. 4
11 𝐻𝑆
𝜃 = 11𝑋 − 12𝑀𝐻𝑆 𝐸𝑞. 5
And substitute its value into Eq.1;
12
𝑋= (𝑀 − 𝜃) 𝐸𝑞. 1
11 𝐻𝐸
𝜃 = 11𝑋 − 12𝑀𝐻𝑆 𝐸𝑞. 5
12
𝑋= (𝑀 − (11𝑋 − 12𝑀𝐻𝑆 )) 𝐸𝑞. 1
11 𝐻𝐸
Solve for X;
144 𝑀𝐻𝐸
𝑋= (𝑀𝐻𝑆 + )
143 12
Example 3.2
Leo left his office past 7:00 pm, after 3 to 4 hours;
he came back and noticed that the hands of the
clock interchanged, what time did he arrive back
at the office?
Solution:
Algebraic Formula
Given the interval 3 to 4 hours, I will use the
greater value for MHE;
144 𝑀𝐻𝐸
𝑋= (𝑀𝐻𝑆 + )
143 12
144 55
𝑋= (35 + )
143 12
𝑋=39.86 minutes
He arrived back at 11:39.86 pm
11 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas
REFERENCES:
12 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas