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Step-by-step practice: Maths · Level 2Chapter 9 · Time
Step-by-step Maths Level 2 · Time · Lesson 9.2

Step-by-step Maths Level 2: Half past the hour

Part of the Step-by-step Maths Level 2 time chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

9.2

Half past the hour

Level 2
Tell the time to half past on an analogue clock, Draw or show where the hour hand and minute hand point for half past

When the long hand points to 6, it is half past. The time is half past the hour that the short hand has just passed.

Half past 4 has the short hand between 4 and 5, and the long hand on 6.

123456789101112
The long hand is on 6. The short hand is between 4 and 5. The time is half past 4.

Key ideas

  • The long hand on 6 means half past.
  • The short hand has just passed the hour.
  • Half past 4 is 4:30.
Worked example 9.2.1
Look at clock D. Which time does it show? Write it in words.

Method. When the long hand points to 6, it is half past the hour.

  1. Look at the long hand. It points to 6, which means half past.
    long hand on 6
  2. Look at the short hand. It has passed 4 and is almost at five.
    short hand between 4 and 5
  3. Write the time. Say half past the hour that has just passed.
    half past four

Check. The time is 4:30 in digital form.

Watch out. Half past the hour uses the hour that has just passed, not the next hour.

Worked example 9.2.2
Look at clock K. Which time does it show? Write it in words.

Method. When the long hand points to 6, it is half past the hour.

  1. Look at the long hand. It points to 6, which means half past.
    long hand on 6
  2. Look at the short hand. It has passed 11 and is almost at twelve.
    short hand between 11 and 12
  3. Write the time. Say half past the hour that has just passed.
    half past eleven

Check. The time is 11:30 in digital form.

Watch out. Half past the hour uses the hour that has just passed, not the next hour.

Worked example 9.2.3
At half past four, which number does the long hand point to?

Method. Think about how far the long hand has gone round the clock.

  1. Think about the minutes. Half an hour is half way round the clock, to the 6.
    30 minutes
  2. Find the number on the clock face. Count round the numbers on the face.
    6
  3. Write the answer.
    6

Check. 6 is where the long hand points for this time.

Watch out. Half past: the long hand is on 6. O'clock: the long hand is on 12.

Watch out

Watch out. Half past 4 is not 5 o'clock. The short hand is past the 4, so the time is half past 4.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “Where is the long hand at half past?” Then move the hands together to show it.

Exercise 9B  Practice: half past

Non-calculator
1
PSAt half past five, which number does the long hand point to?
123456789101112
2
PSAt half past two, which number does the long hand point to?
123456789101112
3
PSAt half past four, which number does the long hand point to?
123456789101112
4
FLook at clock E. Which time does it show? Write it in words.
123456789101112E
5
FLook at clock K. Which time does it show? Write it in words.
123456789101112K
6
FLook at clock H. Which time does it show? Write it in words.
123456789101112H
7
PSAt half past eleven, which number does the long hand point to?
123456789101112
8
PSAt twelve o'clock, which number does the long hand point to?
123456789101112
9
PSAt seven o'clock, which number does the long hand point to?
123456789101112
10
FLook at clock L. Which time does it show? Write it in words.
123456789101112L
11
FLook at clock C. Which time does it show? Write it in words.
123456789101112C
12
PSAt two o'clock, which number does the long hand point to?
123456789101112
13
FLook at clock A. Which time does it show? Write it in words.
123456789101112A
14
PSAt half past six, which number does the long hand point to?
123456789101112
15
PSAt half past eight, which number does the long hand point to?
123456789101112
16
FLook at clock G. Which time does it show? Write it in words.
123456789101112G

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