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The two broken clocks

Numerical territoryLevel 1 · Starter · ●○○○○

You have two watches:

  • Clock A: is completely stopped.
  • Clock B: works, but goes back exactly 1 minute every hour.

Which of the two keeps the correct time more times?

Hints

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  1. First step: A stopped clock matches the real time twice every 24 hours.
  2. A clock that loses 1 minute per hour loses 12 hours in 720 hours (30 days), so it only matches twice every 30 days.
  3. Final stretch: A stopped clock matches the real time twice every 24 hours. Then, a clock that loses 1 minute per hour loses 12 hours in 720 hours (30 days), so it only matches twice every 30 days.

Solution

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Answer: The clock stopped.
Explanation:

  • A stopped clock matches the real time twice every 24 hours.
  • A clock that loses 1 minute per hour loses 12 hours in 720 hours (30 days), so it only matches twice every 30 days.

Therefore, the stopped clock is right much more often.


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