If a scraper operates only 50 minutes out of every hour, what is its effective operating time in one hour?

The effective operating time of the scraper can be determined by how much of that hour it is actually in operation. Given that the scraper operates for only 50 minutes out of every hour, the effective operating time is simply the duration during which the machine is actively working.

In this scenario, since the scraper is functioning for 50 minutes, this is the amount of time that can be considered productive or effective operating time within that hour. Thus, the effective operating time is 50 minutes.

The other options do not reflect the actual operating time of the equipment. For instance, 30 minutes and 40 minutes underestimate the time the scraper is in use, while 60 minutes suggests the scraper operates continuously without breaks, which contradicts the premise of the question. Therefore, recognizing that the scraper is only in operation for a portion of the hour leads to the conclusion that 50 minutes is the correct answer.