SLB Interview Question

What is the angle between the hands on a clock at 3:20?

Interview Answers

Anonymous

Jan 30, 2012

Actually, the answer is 20 degrees. You need to consider the amount of movement of the small hand also. At 3:20, the big hand (minute hand) will have moved by 120 degrees away from the 12 hour mark (20 minutes are equivalent to 120 degrees for the big hand). Also, the small hand will have moved 3*30degrees+ 30degrees/3=100degrees away from the 12 hour hand. The difference between the 2 is 20 degrees (120-100).

4

Anonymous

Aug 18, 2017

At 3.20 , the minute hand is at number 4 and the hour hand is at 3 (near 3 as it needs to moves every minute too to reach next hour) so we need to find how much degree hour hand moves from number 3. In other words, how much hour hand moves by the time minute hand covers 20 mins. So we divide clock by 20 mins interval each,i.e 3 divisions. Note : Angle between every 2 numbers in clock is 30 deg. (360/12 = 30 degrees). so, 1/3*30 = 10 degrees. so hour hand moves by 10 degrees every 20 mins. so angle between hour and min hand at 3.20 is 30 - 10 = 20 degrees.

Anonymous

Apr 4, 2013

The answer is 10 degrees. The question asks for the angle between the two hands at exactly 3:20. In order for it to be 3:20, the minute hand must be directly aligned on the 4. The hour hand moves 30 degrees every 60 minutes. So from 3:00 to 3:20, the hour hand has moved 10 degrees and is located 1/3 of the way between the 3 and 4 while the minute hand is still set pointing directly at the 3. (60 minutes/ 20 = 3.) (3/30=10).

3

Anonymous

Jan 28, 2012

The answer is actually 30 degrees. Think about the position of the hands, they are only 5 minutes apart. Either way, divide the clock 360 degrees by 12, then the answer is 1/12. It may be 29 degrees if they want you to consider the amount of movement for the hour hand. This is relatively simple!

4

Anonymous

Jan 26, 2012

120 degrees

2