Think YOU can tell the time? Take the test to see if a new 'brain-teasing' clock would leave you stumped

  • The Albert Clock requires you to solve a maths equation to tell the time
  • Four levels of difficulty include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
  • It costs £235, and comes in three colours - red, grey or white 

Telling the time when you're bleary-eyed in the morning can be difficult enough as it is, but a new clock could make things even harder.

Mathematicians have invented a 'brain-teasing' clock that requires you to solve a tricky equation to tell the time.

The £235 ($300) 'Albert Clock' – named after Albert Einstein – has four levels of difficulty, and is designed to turn boredom inside classrooms into productive work.

Scroll down for video 

Mathematicians have invented a 'brain-teasing' clock that requires you to solve a tricky equation to tell the time

Mathematicians have invented a 'brain-teasing' clock that requires you to solve a tricky equation to tell the time

CAN YOU TELL THESE TIMES? 

Below are six examples of the types of equations the clock uses:

4 ÷ 2 + 4 hr, 7 + 44 - 9 min

34 - 18 hr, 7 × 2 + 23 min

6 × 2 hr,  9 - 2 × 4 min

2 × 4 + 3 hr, 8 ÷ 4 × 7 min

10 - 8 hr, 6 × 4 min

14 - 8 + 1 hr, 11 + 37 min

Scroll down for the answers

The Albert Clock is designed by Axel Schindlbeck, a lecturer in Product Design at ESADMM College of Art and Design in Marseille, and Fred Mauclere, a software engineer.

Examples of the equations include: 4 ÷ 2 + 4 hr, 7 + 44 - 9 min, and 2 × 4 + 3 hr, 8 ÷ 4 × 7 min (scroll down for answers).

The duo created the hand-lacquered clock after more than £63,000 ($81,000) was crowdfunded to the project.

It comes in three colours – concrete grey, white and red.

So far, around 1,000 of the brain-teasing digital clocks have been sold around the world.

The duo created the hand-lacquered clock after more than £63,000 ($81,000) was crowdfunded to the project. It comes in three colours – concrete grey, white and red

The duo created the hand-lacquered clock after more than £63,000 ($81,000) was crowdfunded to the project. It comes in three colours – concrete grey, white and red

The £235 ($300) 'Albert Clock' – named after Albert Einstein – has four levels of difficulty, and is designed to turn boredom inside classrooms into productive work. Scroll down for the answer

The £235 ($300) 'Albert Clock' – named after Albert Einstein – has four levels of difficulty, and is designed to turn boredom inside classrooms into productive work. Scroll down for the answer

In a statement, Mr Schinlbeck and Mr Mauclere said: 'We can all benefit from this clock. It's fun and keeps you mentally fit!

'The Albert Clock was intended to turn boredom inside school classes into mental calculation skills.

'It shows simple mathematical equations that need to be solved in order to read the time.

 So far, around 1,000 of the brain-teasing digital clocks have been sold around the world. Scroll down for the answer

 So far, around 1,000 of the brain-teasing digital clocks have been sold around the world. Scroll down for the answer

The Albert Clock was intended to turn boredom inside school classes into mental calculation skills. It shows simple mathematical equations that need to be solved in order to read the time. Scroll down for the answer

The Albert Clock was intended to turn boredom inside school classes into mental calculation skills. It shows simple mathematical equations that need to be solved in order to read the time. Scroll down for the answer

'Schindlbeck gave the standard alphanumeric segment font a redesign, with an improved readability of numbers and mathematical symbols.'

Mr Schinlbeck added: 'At one point, I felt the need to discover something new and I was excited by the idea of developing independently my own ideas, through playful concepts that have a curious and positive hold on everyday life. 

'It's a true responsibility, and you just go from scratch to the final product on your own.' 

In a statement, Mr Schinlbeck and Mr Mauclere said: 'We can all benefit from this clock. It's fun and keeps you mentally fit!'

In a statement, Mr Schinlbeck and Mr Mauclere said: 'We can all benefit from this clock. It's fun and keeps you mentally fit!'

Four levels of difficulty include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Scroll down for the answer

Four levels of difficulty include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Scroll down for the answer

Pictured is one of the equations. Scroll down for the answer
The equations come in four levels of difficulty. Scroll down for the answer.

Sigi Moeslinger, a designer for New York, wrote: 'The clock is not only a beautiful minimalist object, it is also a fun and clever intervention into the mundane task of looking up the time. 'Not just for kids, but for any brain that needs a bit of exercise'

Mr Mauclere, who wrote the software and developed all electronic parts, said: 'We had some experience together, but we still needed to discover the complexity and the odds of an industrial manufacturing process.'

Many people who have bought the clock have left reviews on the website. 

Sigi Moeslinger, a designer for New York, wrote: 'The clock is not only a beautiful minimalist object, it is also a fun and clever intervention into the mundane task of looking up the time. 

'Not just for kids, but for any brain that needs a bit of exercise.'

THE ANSWERS 

4 ÷ 2 + 4 hr, 7 + 44 - 9 min = 06:42

34 - 18 hr, 7 × 2 + 23 min = 16:37

6 × 2 hr,  9 - 2 × 4 min = 12:01

2 × 4 + 3 hr, 8 ÷ 4 × 7 min = 11:14

10 - 8 hr, 6 × 4 min = 02:24

14 - 8 + 1 hr, 11 + 37 min = 07:48

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