The idea, step by step
Count the minutes
The long hand shows minutes. Each large number means five more minutes: 1 means 5 minutes, 2 means 10 minutes, and so on.
Small marks between the numbers show single minutes. Count on from the nearest five-minute number.
Find the hour as well
The short hand moves slowly between the hour numbers. At 8:17 it has passed 8 but not reached 9, so the hour is 8.
Write the hour, a colon and two minute digits. Seven minutes past four is 4:07, not 4:7.
A common trap
Reading the next hour because the short hand is close to it.
Instead: Use the hour the short hand has already passed.
See the thinking
Minutes past eight
Read this clock.
- The long hand is two marks after 3: 15 + 2 = 17 minutes.
- The short hand has passed 8.
Near the next hour
Read this clock.
- The minute hand is at 11: 55 minutes.
- The short hand is near 3 but has not reached it.
Check your understanding
Write nine minutes past six digitally.
Show answer
6:09
The minute part needs two digits.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Read this clock.
- Read this clock.
- Write thirty-six minutes past ten digitally.
- Write 5:04 in words.
- The long hand is on 9. How many minutes past the hour does it show?
- At 11:58 the short hand is near 12. Why is the time not 12:58?
Read the worked solutions
- Read this clock.
The long hand is at 2: 10 minutes.
The short hand has passed 4.
4:10 - Read this clock.
Three marks after 4 means 20 + 3 = 23 minutes.
The short hand has passed 7.
7:23 - Write thirty-six minutes past ten digitally.
The hour is 10 and the minutes are 36.
10:36 - Write 5:04 in words.
04 means four minutes.
Four minutes past five. - The long hand is on 9. How many minutes past the hour does it show?
9 groups of 5 minutes make 45 minutes.
45 minutes - At 11:58 the short hand is near 12. Why is the time not 12:58?
The hour changes when the minutes reach 00.
It has not reached 12 yet; it is still in the eleventh hour.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum
Analogue/digital clocks to the minute; seconds/minutes/hours/days; duration.
Official curriculum source ↗