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Math ยท Topic 9 of 65

Time and Clocks

There are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour and 24 hours in a day. A clock's short hand shows hours.

๐Ÿ’ก Fun fact

The word "clock" comes from an old word for bell.

All about Time and Clocks

Time is measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years. There are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour and 24 hours in a day. A clock uses a short hour hand and a long minute hand to show the time.

Analogue clocks have 12 numbers around the face, and each number is five minutes apart. Digital clocks show the time with numbers, such as 14:30. Learning to read both helps you plan your day.

๐ŸŽฎ Try it yourself!

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Real-life uses of Time and Clocks

  • Knowing what time to leave for school
  • Working out how long a film or game lasts
  • Following a recipe with the right cooking time

Frequently asked questions about Time and Clocks

How many minutes are in a day?

There are 1,440 minutes in a day, which is 24 hours multiplied by 60 minutes.

What does 15:00 mean on a digital clock?

It means 3 o'clock in the afternoon, because the 24-hour clock counts from midnight.

How do you work out elapsed time?

Count the hours first, then the minutes. From 2:15 to 4:40 is 2 hours and 25 minutes.