What Is Time?
In math, time can be defined as an ongoing and continuous sequence of events that occur in succession, from past through the present, and to the future.
Time is used to quantify, measure, or compare the duration of events or the intervals between them, and even, sequence events.
Times of the Day
In the image below, Hasan’s daily routine events have been put in sequence according to the time at which they are done.
We measure time in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years with clocks and calendars.
A day has 24 hours. We use A.M. to tell the time running from midnight to noon and P.M. for the time running from noon to midnight.
We do not write A.M. or P.M. at 12 o’clock in the afternoon and 12 o’clock at midnight. 12 o’clock at noon is written as 12 noon and 12 o’clock at midnight is written as 12 midnight.
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Measurement of Time Using a Clock
1. Analog Clock or the 12-hour clock
We measure and define what time of the day it is using clocks. A clock in general has 12 numbers written on it, from 1 to 12. It has an hour hand and a minute hand. Some clocks have a third hand as well. It shows time in seconds and is the fastest-moving hand. The time is usually based on a 12-hour clock.
The hour hand, the shorter of the two hands, completes 1 rotation (360°) in 12 hours in a normal 12-hour analog. The minute hand, the longer hand, completes 1 rotation through 360° in 60 minutes.
Here’s how the minute hand’s movement shows different times in an hour.
- Time in half hours: When the minute hand is at 6, the time is written as half-past.
- Time in quarter past hours: When the minute hand is at 3, the time is written as a quarter past the hour.
- Time in quarter to hours: When the minute hand is at 9, the time is written as a quarter to the next hour.
Time in Minutes
There are 12 big divisions on the face of the clock. Each big division has 5 small divisions.
Each small division stands for 1 minute.
So there are 60 small divisions on the face of a clock. There are 12 × 5 = 60 minutes in 1 hour.
1 hour = 60 minutes
1 minute = 60 seconds
| When the minute hand is at | Number of minutes |
| 1 | 1 x 5 = 5 |
| 2 | 2 x 5 = 10 |
| 3 | 3 x 5 = 15 |
| 4 | 4 x 5 = 20 |
| 5 | 5 x 5 = 25 |
| 6 | 6 x 5 = 30 |
| 7 | 7 x 5 = 35 |
| 8 | 8 x 5 = 40 |
| 9 | 9 x 5 = 45 |
| 10 | 10 x 5 = 50 |
| 11 | 11 x 5 = 55 |
| 12 | 12 x 5 = 60 |
2. Digital Clock or the 24-hour clock
Generally, we use the 12-hour clock to measure time. But railways, airlines, armed forces, and newspapers use the 24-hour clock.
On the 24-hour clock, the hours from midnight to the next midnight are marked 0 to 24.
- On a 24-hour clock, we use 4 digits.
- The two digits on the right show the minutes past an hour.
- The two digits on the left show the number of hours.
For example:
12:45 means it is 45 minutes past 12 hours
18:20 means it is 20 minutes past 18 hours
A day starts at midnight. So, the time at midnight is expressed as 00:00 hours.
The day ends at midnight. So, midnight is also expressed as 24:00 hours.
Rules for converting time on a 24-hour clock to time on a 12-hour clock:
We use A.M. if the number of hours is less than 12
For Example:
08:00 hours becomes 8:00 a.m.
If the number of hours is more than 12 hours, we subtract 12 from the number of hours and use P.M.
For Example:
16:00 hours becomes 4:00 P.M. (16 – 12 = 4)
17:20 hours becomes 5:20 P.M. (17 – 12 = 5)
00:00 hours or 24:00 hours is expressed as 12 midnight.
12:00 hours is expressed as 12 noon.
12:30 is 12:30 P.M.
00:25 hours is 12:25 A.M.
Rules for converting time on a 12-hour clock time to time on a 24-hour clock:
If the time is before 1:00 P.M, we write the same time.
6:20 A.M. is expressed as 06:20 hours
12:25 P.M. is expressed as 12:25 hours
If the time is beyond 1:00 P.M., we add 12 to the number of hours.
4:45 P.M. is expressed as 16:45 hours (4 + 12 = 16)
Conversion:
1 day = 24 hours
1 hour = 60 minutes
1 minute = 60 seconds
1 hour = 3600 seconds
Solved Examples on Time
Example 1: Fill in the blanks with A.M. or P.M.
- I wake up at 6:30 ______
- Lunchtime in school begins at 1:00 ______
- I go to play in the evening at 5:00 ______
- I have dinner at 9:00 ______
Solution:
- A.M.
- P.M.
- P.M.
- P.M.
Example 2: What time will it be 4 hours after 7:45 P.M.
Solution: 11:45 P.M.
Example 3: Write the number of hours that pass between 4:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
Solution: 4 hours
Example 4: Complete the following table.
| 12-Hour Clock | 24-Hour Clock |
|---|---|
| 1:45 A.M. | _________________ |
| _________________ | 14:30 hours |
| 7:20 P.M. | _________________ |
| 3:30 A.M. | _________________ |
| _________________ | 12:00 hours |
Solution:
| 12-Hour Clock | 24-Hour Clock |
| 1:45 A.M. | 01:45 hours |
| 2:30 P.M. | 14:30 hours |
| 7:20 P.M. | 19:20 hours |
| 3:30 A.M. | 03:30 hours |
| 12:00 noon | 12:00 hours |
Practice Problems On Time
Time
The long hand of a clock is at 11 and the short hand is between 8 and 9. It's morning. The time is:
The hour hand (shorthand) is between 8 and 9, so it's 8 o’clock. The minute hand (long hand) is at 11, which shows 55 minutes. It's morning before noon so it’s a.m. So, the time is 8:55 a.m.
2 hours 10 minutes = _________ minutes
1 hour = 60 minutes So, 2 hours = 2 × 60 minutes = 120 minutes 2 hours 10 minutes = 120 minutes + 10 minutes = 130 minutes
13:25 hours is _________ p.m.
13 – 12 = 1 (Subtract 12) So, 13:25 hours is 1:25 p.m. (add p.m. to answer)
Frequently Asked Questions On Time
What is the abbreviation for second, minutes, and hours?
Seconds can be indicated with ‘s’ or ‘sec’. Minutes can be written as ‘min’ and hours as ‘hrs’.
How do you measure time?
Time can be measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years with clocks and calendars.
What measuring instruments are used to measure time?
In the past, a common time measuring instrument was the sundial. Today, the usual measuring instruments for time are clocks, watches, and calendars.
Why is time measured?
We need to measure time in order to schedule our work or to plan our day.
