Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Puzzle 005 (US): Digital Digits
Over one day, how many times does a 12-hour digital clock show the same digit three or more times in a row?
- Chapter
- Chapter 1
- Location
- Plaza
- Picarats
- 50 picarats
- Type
- Write Answer
- Region
- US / North America · EU version: Clock Hands
Hint 1: A gentle nudge. Tap to flip.
Start small: count the qualifying times in a single 12-hour stretch, then think about how many of those stretches fit into one day.
Tap to flip backHint 2: The key idea. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Times like 4:44 are only the start. With a two-digit hour, a run can begin in the hour and continue into the minutes.
Tap to flip backHint 3: Almost there. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Check 10:00, every time from 11:10 to 11:19, and 12:22. Then add the five easy ones, 1:11 to 5:55.
Tap to flip backAnswer: See the answer. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
The answer is 34.
Tap to flip backSolution, FAQ and sources
Solution
In one 12-hour cycle the qualifying times are 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44 and 5:55 (five times), 10:00 (one), 11:10 through 11:19 (ten), and 12:22 (one). That is 17 times.
A day has two 12-hour cycles (a.m. and p.m.), so the answer is 17 × 2 = **34**.
We double-checked this by listing every minute of a 12-hour clock and testing each display for three identical digits in a row: exactly 17 per cycle.
About this puzzle
Picture a digital clock that runs on 12-hour time, so it shows times like 1:11 or 12:22 but never 13:00. Over one whole day, how many different times will its display show the same digit three or more times in a row?
Unofficial fan guide, not affiliated with LEVEL-5. Puzzle description, hints and solution written by Hint by Hint.
Similar puzzles: Puzzle 005: Clock Hands, Puzzle 008: Farm Work, Puzzle 011: Arc and Line, Puzzle 013: Sinking Ship
All Professor Layton and the Curious Village puzzles
FAQ
What is the answer to Puzzle 005, Digital Digits, in Professor Layton and the Curious Village?
The answer is 34. This is the North American version of Puzzle 005.
Where do you find Puzzle 005 in Curious Village?
Puzzle 005 appears in Chapter 1, in the Plaza area.
How many picarats is Curious Village Puzzle 005 worth?
50 picarats.
Is Puzzle 005 the same in the European version?
No. In the European (UK) version, Puzzle 005 is a different puzzle called Clock Hands, about how often a clock's hands pass each other.
Sources
- Professor Layton Wiki (Fandom): Puzzle:Digital Digits
- StrategyWiki: Professor Layton and the Curious Village/Puzzles 1-25
- Professor Layton Wiki (Fandom): Module:PuzzleData/CV
Facts checked on November 14, 2026
Unofficial fan guide. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by LEVEL-5 Inc. Professor Layton, The New World of Steam, and all related names, characters, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.