Q. What is the angle between the minute hand and hour hand when the clock shows 4:25 hours?
a) 12.5
b) 15
c) 17.5
d) 20
Correct answer: c) 17.5
Question from UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT
Explanation :
1. First, let’s understand how the clock hands move:
Hour hand makes a complete 360° rotation in 12 hours = 360°/12 = 30° per hour
Hour hand also moves 30°/60 = 0.5° per minute
Minute hand makes a complete 360° rotation in 60 minutes = 360°/60 = 6° per minute
At 4:25:
Hour hand:
For 4 hours: 4 × 30° = 120°
For 25 minutes: 25 × 0.5° = 12.5°
Total = 120° + 12.5° = 132.5°
Minute hand:
For 25 minutes: 25 × 6° = 150°
The angle between the hands:
|150° – 132.5°| = 17.5°
Therefore, the correct answer is c) 17.5°