In this activity, we will be learning to read the exact time on an analogue clock, using the position of the hands.
Clocks have an hour hand and a minute hand (and sometimes a second hand)
The hour hand is shorter than the minute hand.
Let's try two example questions.
Example 1
Look at this clock. What is the time?
Answer
On this clock, the hour hand is pointing to between 6 and 7, so we know the time is before 7 o'clock, but after 6 o'clock.
The minute hand is pointing to 6 which is halfway round the clock.
This clock has 60 small minute markers, but some clocks do not.
Each numbered section on the clock face is worth 5 minutes.
So, on this clock, the minute hand has travelled to the 6th number.
6 lots of 5 minutes equal 30 minutes or half an hour.
So the time shown is 6:30 or half past 6.
Example 2
What time does this clock show?
Answer
Notice that the hour hand has moved very slightly from the clock in example 1.
The time is still after 6 o'clock but before 7 o'clock.
The minute hand has moved forward one minute past the 6 marker.
So the time shown is 6:31.
Now it's your turn to try some questions like this.