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Singapore Primary Maths

Primary 1 maths · Measurement & time · About 8 minutes

Find durations of one hour or half an hour

Start at the given time. Count on.

Start the interactive lesson →Open practice activity

What you will learn

Models used: number sentences, stories, diagrams.

Before you start

Jump to the next hour first

An activity starts at 9:45. We want to go forward by 30 minutes.

  1. The dots are times of day. Each curved arrow is a number of minutes passing.

    An activity starts at 9:45. We want to go forward by 30 minutes.

    Split a long wait into easier jumps. Add the durations of the jumps, not the clock readings at their ends.

    9:45
  2. The dots are times of day. Each curved arrow is a number of minutes passing.

    First use 15 minutes to reach 10 o’clock.

    Split a long wait into easier jumps. Add the durations of the jumps, not the clock readings at their ends.

    9:4510:00+15 min
  3. The dots are times of day. Each curved arrow is a number of minutes passing.

    There are 15 minutes still to use. Another jump takes us to 10:15.

    15 + 15 = 30 minutes

    Split a long wait into easier jumps. Add the durations of the jumps, not the clock readings at their ends.

    9:4510:00+15 min10:15+15 min
What did the picture help us see?

There are 15 minutes still to use. Another jump takes us to 10:15.

Worked example: A new example, together

An activity starts at 2:20 pm and lasts 60 minutes. When does it end?

123456789101112
Start time. Move ahead 60 minutes.
  1. Start at the given time. Count on.

    A duration is the time between the start and finish. Move forward from the start, or backwards from the finish, by that duration.

    123456789101112
    Start time. Move ahead 60 minutes.
  2. Use the relationship: start time + duration = finish time.

    123456789101112
    Start time. Move ahead 60 minutes.
    An activity starts at 2:20 pm and lasts 60 minutes. When does it end?

    3:20 pm

  3. Move forward by the duration.

    123456789101112
    Start time. Move ahead 60 minutes.
  4. 2:20 pm + 60 minutes = 3:20 pm.

    123456789101112
    Start time. Move ahead 60 minutes.
  5. Check the result against the question we started with.

    3:20 pm minus 60 minutes returns to 2:20 pm.

    We found 3:20 pm. A duration is the time between the start and finish. Move forward from the start, or backwards from the finish, by that duration.

    123456789101112
    Start time. Move ahead 60 minutes.

Common mistakes to discuss

Check your understanding

Explain your reasoning to an adult, then try a fresh question in the interactive lesson. A result from one attempt is not proof of lasting mastery.

Try this lesson →

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