Time and the calendar · Usually met around P1
Elapsed time
Count the numbers the short hand moves on.
How to do it
Method
Count the numbers the short hand moves on
3 o'clock → 7 o'clock: 7 − 3 = 4 hours
Another way
Count on the short hand
4, 5, 6, 7 → 4 hours
In full
The short hand moving from one number to the next is 1 hour. From 3 o'clock to 7 o'clock, count the numbers the short hand moves on to: 4, 5, 6, 7, four of them, so 4 hours have passed. Or take away: 7 − 3 = 4, the same answer.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
2 o'clock → 4 o'clock = ? hours
Show the answer and working
Answer: 2 o'clock → 4 o'clock = 2 hours
2 o'clock → 4 o'clock: the hour hand counts on from 2 to 4: 3, 4, 2 numbers; or 4 − 2 = 2, so 2 hours
Example 2
1 o'clock → 3 o'clock = ? hours
Show the answer and working
Answer: 1 o'clock → 3 o'clock = 2 hours
1 o'clock → 3 o'clock: the hour hand counts on from 1 to 3: 2, 3, 2 numbers; or 3 − 1 = 2, so 2 hours
Example 3
7 o'clock → 9 o'clock = ? hours
Show the answer and working
Answer: 7 o'clock → 9 o'clock = 2 hours
7 o'clock → 9 o'clock: the hour hand counts on from 7 to 9: 8, 9, 2 numbers; or 9 − 7 = 2, so 2 hours
Practise it in the game →Time and the calendar · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download