How to Solve a Tricky Algebra Problem: Clock Gains and Time Differences

[lionely]

Homework Statement

A clock gains x min. every 24 hr. If it is y min. slow at present, in how many hours will it show the correct time?

Homework Equations

N/A

The Attempt at a Solution

I called the current time Tc so
I have:

Tc = Tc- y

I know x will get added to the above equation every 24 hours but I don't know how to connect them. So I get stuck.
I tried something like (Tc = Tc -y + x)/24 but I don't think this make sense.

Could someone give me a hint? Help is greatly appreciated.

(P.S. I know this is simple but do you guys ever buck up on a simple problem that you just can't seem to get out? or do I need to re-study algebra?)

 

[Chestermiller]

If it catches up x minutes every 24 hours, how many minutes does it catch up after h hours?

 

[lionely]

It would catch by hx\24 minutes every h hour

 

[Chestermiller]

It would catch by hx\24 minutes every h hour

So how many hours h does it take to catch up y minutes?

 

[lionely]

hx/24y ?

 

[Chestermiller]

hx/24y ?

$\frac{hx}{24}=y$

h=?

This is a rate x time = distance problem

Chet

 

[lionely]

Okay that's one part I don't get I didn't have (hx)/24 = y I had (hx)/(24y). I wondering about how to connect x to y , I mean what would make x = y . I'm still a bit confused about the reasoning behind the answer sorry.

 

[Chestermiller]

Okay that's one part I don't get I didn't have (hx)/24 = y I had (hx)/(24y). I wondering about how to connect x to y , I mean what would make x = y . I'm still a bit confused about the reasoning behind the answer sorry.

If a clock gains 2 minutes every hour and it starts out behind by 10 minutes, how long does it take to catch up?

If a clock gains x/24 minutes every hour and it starts out behind by y minutes, how long does it take to catch up?

 

[lionely]

For the first question it would take 5 hours, but the second one eh I still can't see it. I did the first like so

if the time was actual time was 12 then the time shown would be 11:50 so after 1 hour(h1) the time would be 12:52 , then 1:54(h2) then 2:56(h3) then 3:58(h4) then 4:00(h5)
so yeah 5 hours.

 

[lionely]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I see it now I am such an idiot. Thank you so much!