Question

A clock is set to show the correct time at 12:00 noon. Immediately, due to some mechanical defect, both the minute hand and the hour hand started moving in the reverse direction (anticlockwise direction). What is the correct time when this clock shows 8:25?
A. \[4:25\]
B. \[3:25\]
C. \[7:25\]
D. \[7:35\]
E. \[3:35\]

Answer 1

Hint: This type of question is solved by using the method of the symmetry of the image showing in the mirror.
If a line cuts an object in half and if both the objects are the same or mirror image of each other then this object is said to be symmetrical.
Draw a line of symmetry between 12 and 6 and take the mirror of the image of the clock that gives the actual time.

Complete step-by-step solution:
The correct time in a clock is 12:00 noon.
Due to some error, the minute hand and the hour hand started moving in the reverse direction.
Consider the clock showing the time is 8:25. (in the reverse direction)

Here, the hour hand is in between 8 and 9 and the minute hand is at 5.
Draw the symmetry of the line which is the line drawn between 12 and 6 on the clock.
In a two symmetrical object, the hands that are on the right side of this line will appear equidistant on the left side of the line and vice versa.
To find the correct time that is when the minute hand and the hour hand moving in the clockwise direction take the mirror image of the hour hand and the minute hand that shows the time is 8:25.

$ \Rightarrow $ The mirror image of the hour hand is on the right side of the clock before 4.
The mirror image of the minute hand is on 7.
The mirror image of 8:25 will become 3:35 noon.

Option E is the correct answer.

Note: We can solve this problem by another method.
Consider a clock showing the correct time at 12:00 noon.
If the minute hand and the hour hand started moving in the reverse direction that is anti-clockwise.
The hour hand is in between 8 and 9 and the minute hand is at 5 for the time 8:25.
We find the time taken by the hour hand and the minute hand to show 8:25. (in the reverse direction)
After one hour, the clock shows 11:00.
After another hour, a clock shows time 10:00.
Similarly, after three hours, a clock shows time 9:00.
In another 35 minutes, the minute hand is at 5, which shows the time 8:25.
Total time is taken to show the time 8:25 is 3:35 hours.
On the right side, If the minute hand and the hour hand started moving in a clockwise direction.
After three hours of thirty-five minutes, a clock shows time 3:35.