Puzzle No. 005
Picarats: 50


Imagine a digital clock like the one shown below. How many times will the clock display three or more of the same number in a row over the course of one day?

In case you were wondering, the clock in this puzzle displays time on a 12-hour scale, not on military time.














Hint One: As mentioned earlier, this digital clock works on a 12-hour display system. This means you'll cycle through the numbers twice a day.

Therefore, before you submit your answer, you need to double the number of times you found to account for a.m and p.m.

Hint Two: You probably have already picked up on combinations like 1:11 and 2:22, but finding the less obvious combinations is what makes up the real meat of this problem.

Did you, for example, remember to include the time 10:00?

Hint Three: 12:22 is another combination that's easy to over look.

Also, have you thought about 11:12? Be sure to take a look at the various combinations that follow the above time as well.

Solution:













Very good! A series of three or more of the same digit appears 34 times over the course of 24 hours. See the chart above for details.

It's easy enough to spot times like 1:11 of 2:22, but many people forget about combinations like 10:00 or 11:12.