Functional Skills Maths: Telling the Time

Read analogue and digital clocks

Reading an Analogue Clock

  • A clock has two hands: short = hours, long = minutes.
  • O'clock: long hand at 12.
  • Half past: long hand at 6.
  • Quarter past: long hand at 3. Quarter to: long hand at 9.

AM and PM

  • AM = midnight to midday (morning and early afternoon).
  • PM = midday to midnight (afternoon and evening).
  • 9:00 AM = 9 in the morning.
  • 9:00 PM = 9 in the evening.

24-Hour Clock

  • The 24-hour clock runs from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59.
  • Morning times are the same: 09:00 = 9:00 AM.
  • Afternoon: add 12 to the 12-hour PM time. 3:00 PM = 15:00.
  • Used in timetables, hospitals and transport.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Convert 14:30 to 12-hour

  1. Hours are 14, which is after noon so it is PM.
  2. Subtract 12: 14 − 12 = 2.
  3. Minutes stay the same: 30.
  4. Answer: 2:30 PM

Example 2: Convert 8:45 PM to 24-hour

  1. It is PM so add 12 to the hours.
  2. 8 + 12 = 20.
  3. Minutes stay the same: 45.
  4. Answer: 20:45

Practice Questions

  • What is 14:00 in 12-hour time?
    Hint: Subtract 12 from 14. It is PM.
    Answer: 2:00 PM
  • What is 7:30 PM in 24-hour time?
    Hint: Add 12 to 7 because it is PM.
    Answer: 19:30
  • What time does "quarter to 4" show?
    Hint: Quarter to = 15 minutes before the hour.
    Answer: 3:45
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