The hour hand moves 360 degrees/(12 hours x 60 min) degrees each minute= 0.5 degrees/min
9 hours 49 min = 589 minutes or 294.5 degrees
The minute hand moves 360degrees/60 min = 6 degrees / min
49 minutes x 6 degrees/min = 294 degrees
294.5 - 294 = .5 degrees between the hands at 9 49