Mirror & Reflection Puzzles
6 Class 6 IMO Mathematics Olympiad practice questions on mirror & reflection puzzles, part of the Visual & Spatial Reasoning topic area. Every question below includes the correct answer and a full explanation.
Practice this topic interactively →1. A digital clock shows the time in the picture. What time does its mirror image show?
- A.8:15
- B.9:15
- C.8:25
- D.9:05
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Answer: A. 8:15
Shortcut: a digital clock's mirror image (reflected in a vertical mirror) always reads 11:60 minus the original time. For 3:45: 11:60 − 3:45 = 8:15. This trick works for any time on a 12-hour digital clock — remember it for the exam.
2. The picture shows a digital clock's display. If you view this clock in a mirror, what time would it appear to show?
- A.7:40
- B.8:40
- C.7:20
- D.6:40
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Answer: A. 7:40
Using the mirror-clock shortcut (11:60 minus the original time): 11:60 − 4:20 = 7:40.
3. The time shown on a digital clock is in the picture. What does its reflection in a vertical mirror show?
- A.2:00
- B.1:00
- C.10:00
- D.12:00
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Answer: A. 2:00
When the minutes are exactly 00, the shortcut becomes 12:00 minus the hour (since 11:60 − 10:00 rolls over): 12:00 − 10:00 = 2:00.
4. A digital clock's reading is shown. What would this time look like when reflected in a mirror?
- A.9:50
- B.8:50
- C.9:10
- D.10:50
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Answer: A. 9:50
Apply the mirror-clock shortcut: 11:60 − 2:10 = 9:50.
5. A clock display is shown in the picture. What time appears when this is reflected in a mirror?
- A.5:55
- B.6:55
- C.5:05
- D.4:55
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Answer: A. 5:55
Using the mirror-clock shortcut: 11:60 − 6:05 = 5:55.
6. The picture shows a digital time. Find what a mirror held next to this clock would show.
- A.10:30
- B.9:30
- C.11:30
- D.10:50
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Answer: A. 10:30
Using the mirror-clock shortcut: 11:60 − 1:30 = 10:30.