B i col Un i v er si ty

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Electrical Engineering Department
Legazpi City

Solving of Clock Problems using Visual Analysis and

Derivation of Shortcut Formulas

Mark Joseph L. Delas Llagas

mjld2022-9510-39237@bicol-u.edu.ph

INTRODUCTION

Clock Problems is 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
clock problems are prevalent in most Engineering Licensure Examinations in the Philippines, making it
crucial for exam takers to extensively understand analytically; 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.

Clock Problems The clock can be divided into 60 sectors of

minute spaces and 12 sectors of hour spaces.
A clock problem is a mathematical
There are 60 minutes in an hour. With the
problem which focuses on the relationship of the
prescribed information, we can implicate the
movements of the hands of the clock; hour hand,
following properties:
minute hand, and second hand. Most questions,
• For every hour the hour hand moves, the
along with this paper, only cover the
minute hand moves 60 minutes.
relationship between the hour hand and the
• There are 5 minute spaces in every hour
minute hand.
Let Red be the hour hand space.
Let Blue be the minute hand • Hence if the minute hand moves x
minutes, the hour hand moves x/12
minutes.
• The angle between hour spaces is 30˚

By simulating and observing the natural running

time of the clock, we can also derive that the
hands will be together 22 times in a 24-hour time
period.

Figure 1.0 Time shown 3:00

1
 Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas

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.

3 prevalent variations of the clock problem;

• What is the angle between the hands of
the clock at a particular time.
• When will the hands of the clock be at
an angle of θ after a particular time. Figure 1.1. Angle between hour spaces
▪ θ = 0˚ We also know that each hour space contains 5
▪ θ = 90˚ minute spaces. Hence, if there is a 30˚ angle
▪ θ = 180˚ between hour spaces then there is a 30˚/5 = 6˚
▪ θ = x˚ angle between minute spaces.
• After an interval amount of time, the • One full rotation of a clock hand= 360˚
hands of the clock interchanged. • Angle between hour spaces = 30˚
▪ Find the start time • Angle between minute spaces = 6˚
▪ Find the end time
Always remember that the hour hand moves
In this paper, we will employ two when the minute hand moves. We will make use
methods in solving clock problems. (1)Visual of reference time to visualize how much the hour
Analysis, wherein we will draw a sketch of hand moves in correlation with the minute hand.
the clock(s) and analyze the clock for For example; when we are trying to find the
algebraic properties such as equality and angle when the time is 6:38, we can use 6:00 as
rewrite such properties into equations. our reference time.
(2)Algebraic Formula, wherein we will plug-
in the values given by the problem into a
Example 1.1:
predetermined formula. The Shortcut
Find the angle between the hour hand and the
Method subsection will discuss techniques
minute hand when the time is 4:20.
that aims to procure faster solve-time of the
Solution:
clock problems. We will discuss how the
Visual Analysis
formulas utilized were derived before/after
each sample problem. We can sketch a graph of the clock to gain
a general idea of the problem. We will make use
of two sets of clock hands to illustrate the
movement of the clock hands.
A. What is the angle between the hands of
the clock at a particular time. Let Black be the reference hands
We can find the angle between the hands
of a clock at a given particular time by recalling
the properties of analog clocks. A clock is a circle,
which means that a rotation around the clock
will trace a 360˚ angle, the hands of the clock
rotate 360˚ fixed at the center. Then, if the clock
is divided into 12 sectors, the sectors will have
an angle of 30˚ between them as shown in Figure
1.1.

Figure 1.2. Angle between4:20

2 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
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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

[(4 hour spaces x 5 minutes) + 20/12 minutes]6˚=

130˚ Shortcut Method
Suppose that we are asked to find the
|120-130| = 10˚
angle between the clock hands if the time is 3:25.
Thus, the angle between the clock hands is 10˚. 60˚- 12.5˚= 47.5˚
This method can be swiftly performed
Algebraic Formula with mental calculations, making it an important
asset in competitions.
Let MM = Minute spaces of the minute hand
Find the angle between the clock hands if
Let MH = Minute spaces of the hour hand the clock is broken, and add/subtract the degree
movement of the hour hand.
Let θ = Angle between the clock hands
We can visualize the clock with Figure
𝑀𝐻 1.4 if we break the clock so that the hour hand
6 |𝑀𝑀 − (𝑀𝐻 + )| = 𝜃 does not move when the minute hand does;
12
20
6 |20 − (20 + )| = 𝜃 = 10°
12

Derivation of the Algebraic Formula

If we opt to solve a clock problem with
the usage of general variables, we can arrive to a
general formula for the problem.

Figure 1.4. Broken Clock 3:25

Let HM = Hour spaces of the minute hand
Let HH = Hour spaces of the hour hand

Then the angle between the clock hands is;

30˚|HM-HH|
30˚|3 - 5| = 60˚
𝑀
Figure 1.3. Time shown 6:20 If the hour hand moved, then it moved 6( 12𝑀 )
degrees.
The angle between α and β is |α – β | 25
6( ) = 12.5°
α = angle of the minute hand with reference to 12
Thus, the angle between the hands of a
90˚
continuously driven clock is;
α = 6˚MM
𝑀𝑀
β = angle of the hour hand with reference to 90˚ 30°|𝐻𝑀 − 𝐻𝐻 | ± 6° ( ) = 𝜃
𝑀 12
𝛽 = 6°(𝑀𝐻) + 6°( 12𝑀 ) 𝑀𝑀
𝑀𝑀 30°|𝐻𝑀 − 𝐻𝐻 | ± ( ) = 𝜃
𝛽 = 6(𝑀𝐻 + 12
) 2

3 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas
 Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas

25 As shown in Figure 2.2, by applying

30°|5 − 3| ± ( ) = 47.5°
2 variable values between the hands of the clock,
We use ± because the hour hand will either move we can create an equation to find the value of
closer or further from the minute hand. how long, in minutes, until the hands of the
+ When the minute hand does not overtake the clock meet.
hour hand.
- When the minute hand overtakes the hour
hand.

B. When will the hands of the clock be at an

angle of θ after a particular time.
I grouped these variations of the clock
problem into one section as we can derive one
formula that can be applicable for all of them.
1. θ = 0˚
2. θ = 90˚ Figure 2.2. Relationship between clock hands
3. θ = 180˚
4. θ = x˚ For better Illustration, let us plot the relative
points as a straight line.
The best way to approach all types of clock
problems is by using a reference time, in which
the hour hand is exactly at an hour space. These
times are when the minute hand resets back Figure 2.3. Relationship between clock hands
into the 12th hour space indicating a minute
value of 0; 1:00, 2:00, …12:00. Thus, with analyzation of the sketch, we can
derive the equation;
𝑋
1. When will the hands of the clock meet after a 𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻 +
12
particular time With X being the movement of the minute hand
in minutes.
These type of clock problems are asking for
the time elapsed before the angle between the
clock hands be equal to 0˚. It may be worded in Example 2.1:
these forms; How many minutes after 10:00 o’clock will the
• When will the hands of the clock hands of the clock be together for the first time?
meet/be together, for the first time after Given:
N o’clock MH = 10 Hour spaces x 5 minute spaces = 50
• When will the minute hand overtake the Solution:
hour hand for the first time after N Visual Analysis
o’clock

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 4:00 line
X = 54.54 minutes Analyzing the sketch, we can formulate the
Shortcut Method following equation;

We can further simplify the algebraic formula; 𝑋

𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻 + + 90°
12
𝑋 𝑥
𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻 + → 𝑋− = 𝑀𝐻
12 12 Let’s convert 90˚ into minute spaces
11
12
𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻 90°
= 15 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑠
6°
12
𝑋= 𝑀 𝑋
11 𝐻 𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻 + + 15
12
Note: We assume with this formula that the
angle between the clock hands is 0˚. We can further simplify the equation;

11 11
𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻 + 15 → 𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻 + 15
• 12 12

2. When will the hands of the clock be 12

perpendicular for the first time after a 𝑋= (𝑀 + 15)
11 𝐻
particular time.
Example 2.2:
This type of clock problems is asking for the
At what time after 1 o’clock will the hands of
time elapsed before the hour hand and minute
hand forms a 90˚ angle between them. This clock the clock be perpendicular for the first time?
problem variation has 2 subfactors conditions of Solution:
its own; (a)the minute hand overtakes or (b)does Visual Analysis
not overtake the hour hand before they can form
a right angle.

a. If the given particular time is less than 3

o’clock, the minute hand will overtake the
hour hand before they form a right angle.

Derivation of the Algebraic Formula

Figure 2.6. 90˚ after 1:00

Let us visualize the interval on the clock as a
horizontal line

Figure 2.7. 90˚ after 1:00 line

𝑿
𝑿=𝟓+ + 𝟏𝟓 𝑿 = 𝟐𝟏. 𝟖𝟐 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔
𝟏𝟐
Figure 2.5. 90˚ after 4:00 The time is 1:21.82

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Algebraic Formula Let us solve for X from the derived system of

12 linear equations;
𝑋= (𝑀 + 15)
11 𝐻 𝒀 = 𝑿 + 𝟏𝟓
𝑿
𝟏𝟐 𝒀 = 𝑴𝑯 +
𝑿= (𝟓 + 𝟏𝟓) = 𝟐𝟏. 𝟖𝟐 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝟏𝟐
𝟏𝟏 𝑿
𝑿 + 𝟏𝟓 = 𝑴𝑯 +
𝟏𝟐
b. If the given particular time is greater than 3 𝑿
𝑿− = 𝑴𝑯 − 𝟏𝟓
o’clock, the clock hands will form a right 𝟏𝟐
𝟏𝟏
angle before the minute hand overtakes 𝑿 = 𝑴𝑯 − 𝟏𝟓
𝟏𝟐
take hour hand. 𝟏𝟐
𝑿= (𝑴 − 𝟏𝟓)
𝟏𝟏 𝑯
Derivation of the Algebraic Formula o
Because the minute hand does not
overtake the hour hand, the interval between the
reference minute hand and end-time minute Example 2.3:
hand X will not encompass all of the relevant How many minutes will pass after 10:00 pm
points on the clock. We will introduce a new before the hands of the clock are perpendicular.
variable Y in minute space units that
encompasses all relevant points as shown in Solution:
Figure 2.8.
Algebraic Formula

𝟏𝟐
𝑿= (𝑴 − 𝟏𝟓)
𝟏𝟏 𝑯
𝟏𝟐
𝑿= (𝟓𝟎 − 𝟏𝟓)
𝟏𝟏
𝑿 = 𝟑𝟖. 𝟏𝟖 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔

3. When will the hands of the clock be in a

straight line for the first time after a
particular time.
As this variation is very similar to the
preceding conditions, we will just briefly
Figure 2.8. 90˚ after 5:00 discuss its differences.
This problem has two conditional
Illustrated on a horizontal line, with all values in variations; (1)the minute hand overtakes the
minute spaces; hour hand before they form an angle of 180˚
as shown in Figure 2.10, (2) the clock hands
form an angle of 180˚ before they meet, as
shown in Figure 2.11. the 1st variation will
occur when the given particular time is less
than 6:00 and the 2nd occurs if greater.
Figure 2.9. 90˚ after 5:00 line

By Visual Analyzation, we can derive the

following equations;
𝒀 = 𝑿 + 𝟏𝟓
𝑿
𝒀 = 𝑴𝑯 +
𝟏𝟐

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Derivation of Formulas
a. If the given particular time is less than
6:00; the minute hand will overtake the
hour hand before they form a 180˚
angle.
4. When will the hands of the clock be at an
angle of θ after a particular time.
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.

Derivation of the Formula

Let HH = Hour spaces of the hour hand
Let Hθ = Hour spaces of θ
Figure 2.10. 180˚ after 5:00
a. The minute hand overtakes the hour
We can derive that; hand before the condition is met
𝑿 𝟏𝟖𝟎
𝑿 = 𝑴𝑯 + +
𝟏𝟐 𝟔
𝟏𝟏
𝑿 = 𝑴𝑯 + 𝟑𝟎
𝟏𝟐
𝟏𝟐
𝑿= (𝑴 + 𝟑𝟎)
𝟏𝟏 𝑯

b. If the given particular time is greater

than 6:00; the clock hands will form an
angle of 180˚ before the minute hand
overtakes the clock hand.

Figure 2.12. θ overtake after 1:00

We can derive that;

𝑿
𝑿 = 𝟓𝑯𝑯 + + 𝟓𝑯𝜽
𝟏𝟐
𝑿
𝑿− = 𝟓(𝑯𝑯 + 𝑯𝜽 )
𝟏𝟐
𝟏𝟏
𝑿 = 𝟓(𝑯𝑯 + 𝑯𝜽 )
𝟏𝟐
𝟔𝟎
𝑿= (𝑯 + 𝑯𝜽 )
𝟏𝟏 𝑯
Figure 2.11. 180˚ after 5:00
We can derive that;
𝒀 = 𝑿 + 𝟑𝟎 𝒀 = 𝑴𝑯 + 𝟏𝟐
𝑿
Example 2.4:
𝑿 When will the hands of the clock be at an angle
𝑿 + 𝟑𝟎 = 𝑴𝑯 + of 36˚ for the second time after 6:00
𝟏𝟐
𝟏𝟏 Given:
𝑿 = 𝑴𝑯 − 𝟑𝟎
𝟏𝟐 HH = 6
𝟏𝟐 36
𝑿= (𝑴 − 𝟑𝟎)
𝟏𝟏 𝑯
Hθ = 30 = 1.1

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Solution:
Algebraic Formula
𝟔𝟎
𝐗= (𝐇 + 𝐇𝛉 )
𝟏𝟏 𝐇
𝟔𝟎 Example 2.5:
𝑿= (𝟔 + 𝟏. 𝟏) After 6 o’clock, when will the hands of a
𝟏𝟏
𝑿 = 𝟑𝟖. 𝟕𝟐 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔 continuously driven clock form a 60˚ angle for
the first time
Given:
b. The condition is met before the 𝐻𝐻 = 6
minute hand overtakes the hour hand 60
𝐻𝜃 = =2
30
Let Y = Length of interval in minute spaces
Solution:

Algebraic Formula
60
𝑋= (𝐻 − 𝐻𝜃)
11 𝐻
60
𝑋= (6 − 2)
11
𝑋 = 21.82 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠

Figure 2.13. θ after 6:00
plot the sketch as a horizontal line to gain
a better visualization of the variable
relationships and convert MH and θ into hour
space notation;
Shortcut Method
Suppose that you are asked to find the
time after 7 o’clock in which the hands of the
clock form a 43.5˚ angle for the first time
We can merge the two conditional formulas
into

60
𝑋= (𝐻 ± 𝐻𝜃)
11 𝐻
60 43.5
𝑋 = 11 (7 − 30
)

Figure 2.14. θ after 6:00 line 𝑋 = 30.27 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠

With visual analyzation of the 7:30.27

horizontal line, we can derive the following
You have an option to convert HH into
equations;
degrees instead if you deem it a faster method
𝑌 = 𝑋 + 5𝐻𝜃
to solve a particular question;
𝑋
𝑌 = 5𝐻𝐻 +
12 𝑋=
2
(30𝐻𝐻 ± 𝜃)
11
Solve the system of linear equations for X
2
𝑋 𝑋 𝑋= (30(7) − 43.5)
𝑋 + 5𝐻𝜃 = 5𝐻𝐻 + →𝑋+ = 5𝐻𝐻 − 5𝐻𝜃 11
12 12
𝑋 = 30.27 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
11
𝑋 = 5(𝐻𝐻 − 𝐻𝜃)
12 7:30.27
60
𝑋= (𝐻 − 𝐻𝜃)
11 𝐻

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We can derive from the line sketch that;

C. After an interval amount of time, the
hands of the clock interchanged.
1. Find the start time
2. Find the end time
This variation of the clock problem is hard to
visualize and analyze because we are not given
any definite values except for the starting
reference time, we will visualize the problem
using 2 clocks; (1)start time clock and (2) end
time clock. It has one varying subfactor that
cannot be derived and proven by this paper; this
condition is present and will mess up
calculations regardless if we use visual analysis
or the algebraic formula.
𝑋
𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻𝑆 + +𝜃
12
We are given the value of MHS, we still
have two remaining unknown variables.
Let us illustrate the end time clock in
terms of the start time clock to derive another
equation with the same two unknown variables.
As stated, the hands of the clock interchanged,
hence;
Let Z = Minute space movement of the end
clock hour hand from the reference end clock
hour hand.

1. Find the time of departure if the hands of

the clock interchange after an interval
amount of time.

Visual Analysis

By intuition, if the clock hands must

interchange after a particular amount of time,
the starting clock should be illustrated where the
minute hand already overtook the hour hand as Figure 3.3. interchange end clock 3:00
shown in Figure 3.1.
Illustrated as a straight line;
Let MHS = Minute spaces of the start time
clock hour hand
Let MHE = Minute spaces of the end time clock
hour hand

Figure 3.4. interchange end clock 3:00 line

We can derive the following equations from the

line sketch;

𝑌 = 𝑀𝐻𝐸 + 𝑍
𝑋
𝑌 = 𝑀𝐻𝑆 + +𝜃
12
Figure 3.1. interchange start clock 3:00 𝑋
The hour hand moves 12𝐸 of the XE movement of
Let us plot the relative points as a horizontal
line; the minute hand. By analyzing the sketch, we
can say that in terms of the start time clock;

𝑋
𝑋𝐸 = 𝑀𝐻𝑆 +
12
Thus;
Figure 3.2. interchange start clock 3:00 line

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𝑋
𝑀𝐻𝑆 + 12 And represent the values of the start time clock
𝑍= in terms of the end time clock.
12

Let us recall the first equation derived from the

start time clock and solve the system of linear
equations;
𝑋
𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻𝑆 + +𝜃
12
𝑌 = 𝑀𝐻𝐸 + 𝑍 REFERENCES:
𝑋
𝑌 = 𝑀𝐻𝑆 + +𝜃 1. Boyce, W.E., Diprima, R.C., & Meade, D.B.
12
𝑋 (2017). Elementary Differential Equations and
𝑀𝐻𝑆 +
𝑍= 12 Boundary Value Problems, Eleventh Edition.
12
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Thus; 2. Zill, D.G. (2018). A First Course in
𝑋 Differential Equations with Modeling
𝑀𝐻𝑆 + 12
𝑋 = 𝑀𝐻𝐸 + Applications, Eleventh Edition. Cengage
12
Solve for X; Learning.
144 𝑀𝐻𝑆 3. Nagle, R.K., Saff, E.B., & Snider, A.D.
𝑋= (𝑀𝐻𝐸 + )
143 12 (2018). Fundamentals of Differential
Equations, Ninth Edition. Pearson
Education, Inc.
4. Edwards, C.H., & Penney, D.E. (2014).
Example 3.1 Elementary Differential Equations with
Pedro left his home at past 6 pm. Between 2-3 hours Boundary Value Problems, Sixth Edition. John
later, he came home and noticed that the hands of the Wiley & Sons, Inc.
clock interchanged, what time did he live his house? 5. Rainville, E.D., Bedient, P.E., & Bedient,
R.E. (1997). Elementary Differential
Solution:
Equations, Eight Edition. Prentice-Hall, Inc.
6. Tenembaum, M., & Pollard, H. (1963).
Algebraic Formula
Ordinary Differential Equations. Dover
Given the interval 2-3 hours, I will use the
Publications, Inc.
greater value for MHE;
7. Coddington, E.A., & Levinson, N. (1955).
Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations.
144 𝑀𝐻𝑆
𝑋= (𝑀𝐻𝐸 + ) McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.
143 12
144 30
𝑋= (45 + )
143 12
𝑋 = 47.83

Pedro left his home at 6:47.83 pm

2. Find the time of arrival if the hands of

clock interchanged after an interval
amount of time.

Visual Analysis
We will let X be the time elapsed by the
end time clock in relation to its reference angle.

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 Bicol University | College of Engineering | Delas Llagas

11 | Solving of Clock Problems Using Visual Analysis and Derivation of Shortcut Formulas