The idea, step by step
The hands tell different things
The longer minute hand counts minutes after the hour. Each large number stands for five minutes: at 4 it shows 20 minutes. The shorter hour hand moves slowly between hour numbers.
If the hour hand has passed 3 and the minute hand points to 4, the time is 3:20. Do not round the hour hand up to the next number.
A day has 24 hours
A 12-hour clock repeats the numbers 1 to 12 twice. Add am or pm so that 7:00 in the morning is not confused with 7:00 in the evening. Noon is 12:00 pm; midnight is 12:00 am.
A 24-hour clock runs from 00:00 at midnight to 23:59 just before the next midnight. It uses no am or pm. The same evening time can be written 19:00 or 7:00 pm.
A common trap
The hour hand is close to 6, so the time must be 6-something.
Instead: The hour hand shows the hour already passed. Near 6 can still mean 5:50 or 5:55.
See the thinking
Read the two hands
The minute hand points to 8. The hour hand is between 5 and 6. What time is it?
- Each number counts five minutes, so 8 groups of 5 is 40.
- The hour hand has passed 5, not 6.
Choose the part of the day
A concert starts at 6:30 in the evening. Write the time using a 12-hour label.
- Evening times before midnight use pm.
- Keep the hour and minutes, then add pm.
Check your understanding
The minute hand is at 3 and the hour hand has just passed 9. What time is shown?
Show answer
9:15
Three groups of five minutes is 15; the last hour passed is 9.
Your turn
6 questions · 8 marks · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- The minute hand points to 2 and the hour hand is just past 8. Write the time.1 mark
- Read the time on the clock. Do not add am or pm unless it is known.1 mark
- Write quarter to four in the afternoon in digital 12-hour time.1 mark
- Is the start of a new day 12:00 am or 12:00 pm?1 mark
- A 24-hour display shows 08:05. State the hour, minutes and part of the day.2 marks
- Sam says an unlabelled clock showing 7:00 proves it is breakfast time. Explain why that is not certain.2 marks
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- The minute hand points to 2 and the hour hand is just past 8. Write the time.1 mark
2 × 5 = 10 minutes; the last hour passed is 8.
8:10 - Read the time on the clock. Do not add am or pm unless it is known.1 mark
The minute hand is at 6, giving 30 minutes; the hour hand is between 10 and 11.
10:30 - Write quarter to four in the afternoon in digital 12-hour time.1 mark
Quarter to the next hour is 15 minutes before it; 4:00 − 15 minutes = 3:45.
3:45 pm - Is the start of a new day 12:00 am or 12:00 pm?1 mark
A new day begins at midnight.
12:00 am - A 24-hour display shows 08:05. State the hour, minutes and part of the day.2 marks
The fields show hour 08 and minute 05. Hour 08 is before noon.
8 hours and 5 minutes after midnight; 8:05 am. - Sam says an unlabelled clock showing 7:00 proves it is breakfast time. Explain why that is not certain.2 marks
The same 12-hour clock positions occur twice each day.
It could be 7:00 am or 7:00 pm; a label or context is needed.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum Mathematics 2026
12-/24-hour clocks; conversion; interpreting schedules.
Official curriculum source ↗