How many times in a day will the hour hand and the minute hand of a clock be in a straight line?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → 44
The hands are in a straight line in two ways: when they coincide (0° apart) and when they point in opposite directions (180° apart).
In 12 hours the minute hand goes round 12 times and the hour hand once, so the minute hand gains 11 rounds on the hour hand
Each round gained brings them together once: 11 times in 12 hours, so 22 times in a day
Each round gained also puts them opposite once: 11 times in 12 hours, so 22 times in a day
In a straight line: \(22+22=\) 44 times a day
Tip: 22 alone counts only one of the two cases (together, or opposite); “in a straight line” takes in both.