In this activity, we will be learning to tell the time using clocks with Roman Numerals.
Here are two clocks.
One has normal numbers, the other has Roman Numerals.
They both show the same time.
The long blue hand is pointing close to the 9 or IX, which is halfway round the clock, so the time will be:
Quarter to
or
__:45
The short red hand is pointing close to the 4 or the IV, so the time is:
Quarter to four
or
3:45
Let's try an example question together.
Example
What time does this clock show?
Answer
The long blue hand is pointing to the 3 or III, which is a quarter of the way round the clock, so the time will be:
Quarter-past
or
__:15.
The short red hand is pointing halfway between the 2 and the 3 or the II and the III, so the time is:
Quarter-past two
or
2:15
Now you've seen Roman numeral clocks in action, it's time to try out your skills on some questions.