UPSC Prelims 2024·CSAT·Logical Reasoning·Clocks and Calendars

Consider the following statements: 1. Between 3:16 p.m. and 3:17 p.m., both hour hand and minute hand coincide. 2. Between 4:58 p.m. and 4:59 p.m., both minute hand and second hand coincide. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A1 only
  2. B2 only
  3. CBoth 1 and 2Correct
  4. DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

To determine the correctness of the statements, we need to calculate the exact times of coincidence for the clock hands. Statement 1: Between 3:16 p.m. and 3:17 p.m., both hour hand and minute hand coincide. * The minute hand moves at 6 degrees per minute. * The hour hand moves at 0.5 degrees per minute. * Their relative speed is 6 - 0.5 = 5.5 degrees per minute. * At 3:00 p.m., the hour hand is at 90 degrees (from the 12 position) and the minute hand is at 0 degrees. * For them to coincide, the minute hand must cover the 90-degree gap. * Time taken = Initial angle difference / Relative speed = 90 degrees / 5.5 degrees/minute = 900/55 minutes = 180/11 minutes. * 180/11 minutes is approximately 16.36 minutes. * So, the hands coincide at approximately 3:16.36 p.m. (i.e., 3:16 and 4/11 minutes). * This time falls between 3:16 p.m. and 3:17 p.m. * Therefore, statement 1 is correct. Statement 2: Between 4:58 p.m. and 4:59 p.m., both minute hand and second hand coincide. * The second hand moves at 6 degrees per second. * The minute hand moves at 0.1 degrees per second (or 6 degrees per minute). * Their relative speed is 6 - 0.1 = 5.9 degrees per second. * At 4:58:00 p.m., the minute hand is at the 58-minute mark. Its position is (58/60) * 360 = 348 degrees from the 12 position. The second hand is at 0 degrees. * For them to coincide, the second hand must cover the 348-degree gap. * Let 's' be the number of seconds past 4:58:00 p.m. * Angle of second hand = 6s. * Angle of minute hand = 348 + 0.1s (since it moves slightly during these seconds). * For coincidence, 6s = 348 + 0.1s. * 5.9s = 348. * s = 348 / 5.9 = 3480 / 59 seconds. * 3480 / 59 seconds is approximately 58.98 seconds. * So, the hands coincide at approximately 4:58:58.98 p.m. * This time falls between 4:58 p.m. and 4:59 p.m. * Therefore, statement 2 is correct. Since both statements are correct, the answer is C. The final answer is C) Both 1 and 2
Logical Reasoning: Consider the following statements: 1. Between 3:16 p.m. and 3:17 p.m., both hour hand and minute hand coincide. 2. Betwe

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