Hours, minutes and the calendar · Usually met around P2
A day's 24 hours: a.m. and p.m.
Count to noon (or midnight), then on.
How to do it
Method
Count to noon (or midnight), then on
10 a.m. → 3 p.m.: 2 + 3 = 5 hours
Another way
Count the hour hand's steps
10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3 → 5
In full
A day has 24 hours, and the hour hand goes round twice. From midnight to noon is a.m.; from noon to midnight is p.m. Say which: up at 7 a.m., dinner at 7 p.m. To count across noon, count to noon, then on: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is 10 → 12, 2 hours, then 12 → 3, 3 hours, 5 in all. Across midnight is the same: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day is 9 → 12, 3 hours, then 12 → 7, 7 hours, 10 in all.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
Which of these is most likely lunchtime?
- A. 12:30 p.m.
- B. 7:30 p.m.
- C. 1:00 a.m.
- D. 8:30 a.m.
Choose the right answer
Show the answer and working
Answer: A. 12:30 p.m.
Lunch is around noon: from 12 p.m. to a little after 1 p.m.
Example 2
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., how many hours pass?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 9 hours
Count to noon: 8 → 12 is 4 hours, then 5 more: 9 hours.
Example 3
From 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day, how many hours pass?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 9 hours
Count to midnight: 8 → 12 is 4 hours, then 5 more to 5 a.m.: 9 hours.
Practise it in the game →Hours, minutes and the calendar · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download