What is Time - Definition, Examples, and FAQs

What is Time - We often hear that time is very important. But what is time? Time is something we use every day. It helps us know when things happen, like when to wake up, go to school, or eat food. We can see time on clocks with minutes and hours.

In math, time means the order in which things happen one after another, starting from the past, moving through the present, and going into the future. To learn more about the meaning of time, keep reading.

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History of Time

Long time ago, during Ancient Greece era, people started to wonder what time really means. A famous philosopher named Aristotle, who lived around 384 to 322 BC, said that time is about counting movements or changes, like before and after. He believed time happens only when something moves or changes.

Aristotle also thought that time has no beginning or end. He said the universe has always been there and will always be there. This idea shows that time goes on forever, without stopping.

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Time Definition

What is Time - As per the time definition, it is the way we measure and understand the order of events happening one after another. Time shows us what happened in the past, what is happening now, and what will happen in the future. This ongoing flow of moments is how we can define time.

Time can be measured using seconds, minutes, hours, days, and years. These units help us know how long something lasts and when events take place. Understanding the meaning of time helps us calculate the duration between events and organize activities in the right order.

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Time on Clocks: Units of Time

We use clocks to tell the time of the day. A clock shows time using hours, minutes, and seconds. The hour hand tells the hour, and the minute hand shows the minutes passed in that hour. Some clocks also have a second hand that counts the seconds.

Time on clocks is measured in small parts called units. The smallest unit we often use is the second. There are 60 seconds in one minute. When 60 minutes pass, one hour is complete. One full day has 24 hours. Here is how units of time add up:

• 1 minute = 60 seconds

• 1 hour = 60 minutes or 3,600 seconds

• 1 day = 24 hours or 86,400 seconds

We also use A.M. and P.M. to tell time:

• A.M. means the time from midnight to noon.

• P.M. means the time from noon to midnight.

At exactly 12 o’clock, we say 12 noon for midday and 12 midnight for the start of a new day. Knowing how to read time on clocks helps us keep track of our daily activities and function properly.

Measuring Time on Clocks

Before clocks were invented, people used nature to tell the time. They looked at the position of the Sun during the day and the Moon and stars at night. For example, when the Sun was high in the sky, they knew it was midday. When the Sun was setting, they understood evening was coming. People also noticed changes in shadows to guess the time.

Today, we use clocks to measure time. There are two main types of clocks: analog clocks and digital clocks.

1. Analog Clock

An analog clock has numbers from 1 to 12 in a circle. It has two or three hands: the short hand is for hours, the long hand shows minutes, and sometimes there is a third hand that shows seconds.

• The hour hand moves slowly and takes 12 hours to go around the clock once.

• The minute hand moves faster and goes all the way around in 60 minutes.

• When the minute hand points at 6, we say it is “half past” the hour.

• When it points at 3, it is “quarter past.”

• When it points at 9, it is “quarter to” the next hour.

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There are 60 small marks on the clock. Each small mark means 1 minute. So, 1 hour has 60 minutes, and 1 minute has 60 seconds.

Examples of Time Reading on an Analog Watch:

• Example 1: The hour hand is on 3 and the minute hand is on 12. The time is 3:00.

• Example 2: The hour hand is between 7 and 8, and the minute hand is on 6. The time is 7:30 (half past seven).

2. Digital Clock

Digital clocks show time using numbers instead of hands. Some digital clocks use the 12-hour system, like analog clocks, but some use a 24-hour system.

• In the 24-hour clock, the day starts at 00:00 (midnight) and goes up to 24:00 (the next midnight).

• For example, 18:20 means 18 hours and 20 minutes, which is 6:20 PM in the 12-hour clock.

• To change 24-hour time to 12-hour time, if the hour is more than 12, subtract 12 and say “PM.” If it is less than 12, say “AM.”

Examples of Time Reading on Digital Watch:

• Example 1: If the digital watch shows 07:45, this means it is 7 hours and 45 minutes, or 7:45 in the morning (A.M.).

• Example 2: If the digital watch shows 19:30, it means the time is 19 hours and 30 minutes, which is 7:30 in the evening (P.M.).

Time in Mathematics

In mathematics, time is not just about knowing the hour of the day. It helps students solve many types of questions. Time is used to find how long an event takes, which is called duration.

Time is also important in word problems related to speed, distance, or work. For example, if a car travels 100 kilometers in 2 hours, students can find its speed using the time taken. So, learning how to read and use time helps students solve problems in daily life as well as in mathematics.

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Practice Questions on Time With Solutions

Solve the following time-related questions along with their solutions to better understand how to read clocks, calculate durations, and convert between 12-hour and 24-hour formats:

Question 1: Fill in the blanks with A.M. or P.M.

a) I brush my teeth at 7:15 ______
b) I eat lunch at 1:00 ______
c) I go to bed at 10:00 ______
d) I leave for school at 6:45 ______

Solution:
a) A.M.
b) P.M.
c) P.M.
d) A.M.

Question 2: What time will it be 3 hours after 9:10 A.M.?

Solution: 9:10 A.M. + 3 hours = 12:10 P.M.

Question 3: How many hours are there between 2:30 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.?

Solution: From 2:30 to 8:00 = 5 hours 30 minutes

Question 4: Convert the following to 24-hour format:

a) 3:20 P.M.
b) 11:00 A.M.
c) 12:00 midnight

Solution:

a) 15:20 hours
b) 11:00 hours
c) 00:00 hours

Question 5: Convert the following to 12-hour format:

a) 17:45 hours
b) 04:00 hours
c) 12:30 hours

Solution:
a) 5:45 P.M.
b) 4:00 A.M.
c) 12:30 P.M.

Question 6: If a movie starts at 6:15 P.M. and ends at 8:40 P.M., how long is the movie?

Solution: From 6:15 to 8:40 = 2 hours 25 minutes

Question 7: Complete the table:

Solution:

Question 8: Find the total time between 11:25 A.M. and 2:50 P.M.

Solution: From 11:25 to 2:50 = 3 hours 25 minutes

Question 9: 2 hours 45 minutes = ______ minutes

Solution:

2 × 60 = 120
120 + 45 = 165 minutes

Question 10: The long hand of the clock is at 6 and the short hand is between 3 and 4. What is the time?

Solution:
Long hand at 6 = 30 minutes
Shorthand between 3 and 4 = 3 o’clock hour
So, the time is 3:30.
If it’s evening, it will be 3:30 P.M.; if morning, 3:30 A.M.

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Why Learning About Time is Important for Children?

Learning to read and understand time is a very important skill for children. It helps in many areas of life, both in school and at home. Here's why knowing how to tell time matters:

Helps in Planning and Organizing the Day

When children know how to tell time, they can plan their day better. They understand when it’s time to wake up, study, play, or go to bed. This helps them stay organized and complete their tasks on time.

Makes Children Punctual

Knowing the time helps children reach school, tuition, or birthday parties on time. This teaches them to be responsible and respectful of others' time.

Improves Social Skills

In group activities like sports or games, children need to know when to start or stop. Learning about time helps them take part better in such activities and be a good team member.

Supports Learning in Math

Time is also a part of maths. When children learn about hours, minutes, and seconds, they also learn to count, compare, and even understand harder topics later like fractions and measurement.

Builds Thinking Skills

Learning time helps children think about the past, present, and future. This makes them better at planning and understanding how events are connected with time.

Therefore, understanding "what is time" helps us in many ways, from solving math problems to managing our daily activities. Time is all around us, and learning about it makes life easier and more organized.

Math can be tough at times, but with dedicated mentors and easy sessions, it can become fun and simple to learn. CuriousJr’s Mental Math Online Classes encourage your child at every step to get better and faster at math!