What's The Time?

What’s The Time

(Brushing Up on Simple Math)

I came across this strange analog clock in social media. A group member has passed it on to me. It took me few minutes to figure out all the numbers. Interestingly doctors prescribe simple questions like analog clock dial, three object names (words), and other elementary things to test the mental acuity of elders. This is to detect the early signs of fading memory ability and other coordinating skills. In India too it would be nice if all the elders are given such tests. 

My father worked with all types of wristwatches and clocks. So, naturally I’ve a bit of fascination with dials, machines, etc. Long time back we had some costly watches, which would glow in the night. The dials were painted with Radium (radioactive) and so were the rotating hands. The letters shine in the night and one could tell the time easily even while sitting in a totally dark theater hall or on a park bench in the night. Unfortunately Radium due to its natural radioactivity can have deleterious effects on health. 

You’ve to tell the time now. 

Sin (pi/2) = sin (90) = 1

This is the first derivative of ‘2x’. Answer is 2

Here is a matrix of four elements (two rows and two columns). But we are asked to find out the value of the determinant. One can figure out by drawing out two arrows.

(5 x 2) – (7 x 1) = 3

Next, here the big pi (Π) indicates we have to do product of various terms. Here n takes values from 1 to 3. So the product is 

For n = 1, (1 + 1)/1 = 2

        n = 2, (2 + 1)/2 = 3/2

        n = 3, (3 + 1)/3 = 4/3

2 x (3/2) x (4/3) = 4

The next number is expressed as a combination of squares and square roots. 

Sq. root of (49 + 576) = √625 = 25; and √25 = 5

Now, the factorial sign appears here. Definition: “n! = 1.2.3…n”

So, 3! = 1.2.3 = 6

(A slight detour – those who remember the analog clock dials can quickly tell the correct time for this symbol clock also.  That is by taking a cue from memory and a bit of chance. But we would miss the mathematics and lot of fun.) To be Continued. Copyright 2022 by the author Copyright of the mathematical symbol clock is not known