An accurate clock is showing the time as 1:45. If the minute hand points towards South, in what direction will the hour hand point?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → North-West
The numbers on a clock face keep fixed positions, a quarter turn apart from 12 to 3 to 6 to 9. So once the direction of one number is known, the directions of all the others follow, going round the compass in the same clockwise order.
At 1:45 the minute hand is on 9, so 9 points South
A quarter turn clockwise from South is West, so 12 points West; then 3 points North and 6 points East
The hour hand has moved \(1\frac{3}{4}\) hours past 12, that is \(1.75\times30^\circ=52.5^\circ\) from 12 towards 3
It lies between 12 (West) and 3 (North), so it points North-West
