Telling Time Examples in Math

Start with the recap, study the fully worked examples, then use the practice problems to check your understanding of Telling Time.

This page combines explanation, solved examples, and follow-up practice so you can move from recognition to confident problem-solving in Math.

Concept Recap

Reading analog and digital clocks to determine the current time in hours, half hours, quarter hours, and five-minute intervals.

A clock is like a race track with two runners—the short hand (hours) moves slowly, the long hand (minutes) moves fast. When the long hand points to 12, it's exactly on the hour, like the start of a new lap.

Read the full concept explanation →

How to Use These Examples

  • Read the first worked example with the solution open so the structure is clear.
  • Try the practice problems before revealing each solution.
  • Use the related concepts and background knowledge badges if you feel stuck.

What to Focus On

Core idea: Clocks use two hands moving at different speeds to show hours and minutes.

Common stuck point: Confusing the hour hand and minute hand, especially when the hour hand is between two numbers.

Sense of Study hint: Find the short hand first for the hour, then count by 5s from 12 using the long hand for the minutes.

Worked Examples

Example 1

easy
The minute hand points to the 3 on a clock. How many minutes past the hour is it? Remember: each number on a clock equals 5 minutes.

Solution

  1. 1
    Each number on the clock represents 5 minutes.
  2. 2
    The minute hand points to 3.
  3. 3
    Multiply: \(3 \times 5 = 15\) minutes.
  4. 4
    It is 15 minutes past the hour.

Answer

15 minutes past the hour
On a clock face, each number mark equals 5 minutes because 60 minutes ÷ 12 numbers = 5 minutes per number.

Example 2

medium
The hour hand points just past 2 and the minute hand points to 6. What time is it?

Practice Problems

Try these problems on your own first, then open the solution to compare your method.

Example 1

easy
The minute hand points to the 4. How many minutes past the hour does it show?

Example 2

medium
A clock shows the hour hand between 7 and 8, and the minute hand pointing to 9. What time does the clock show?
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Background Knowledge

These ideas may be useful before you work through the harder examples.

countingnumber sense