2002 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies
Question 105: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability
The time in the wall clock is 3.25; the acute angle between the hours hand and the minutes hand is
a60°
b52 ½°
c47 ½°
d42°
AnswerThe answer is (c).
At 3:25 the minute hand is at 25 x 6 = 150 degrees from 12. The hour hand moves 30 degrees an hour and 0.5 degree a minute, so it is at 3 x 30 + 25 x 0.5 = 102.5 degrees. The angle between them is 150 - 102.5 = 47.5 degrees.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) 60 degrees is the angle at 2:00 or 4:00, not 3:25.
- (b) 52.5 degrees comes from wrongly placing the hour hand at 97.5 degrees, its 3:15 position.
- (c) Right: 47.5 degrees.
- (d) 42 degrees does not follow from the positions of the two hands.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.