Step 1: Find the position of the minute hand. At 30 minutes, the minute hand points to the 6. The minute hand is at 30 × 6° = 180° from the 12 o'clock position. Step 2: Find the position of the hour hand. At 3:00, the hour hand is at 3 × 30° = 90° from the 12 o'clock position. In 30 minutes, the hour hand moves an additional 30 × 0.5° = 15°. So at 3:30, the hour hand is at 90° + 15° = 105° from the 12 o'clock position. Step 3: Find the angle between the two hands. Angle = 180° − 105° = 75° Step 4: Classify the angle. 75° < 90°, so it is an acute angle. The smaller angle between the hands is 75°, which is an acute angle.