What is the time?
Can you put these times on the clocks in order? You might like to arrange them in a circle.
Problem
Can you put the times on these clocks in order?
You can get a copy of these clock times which can be printed out and cut into separate cards.
The same times - in words - are on this sheet.
Printable NRICH Roadshow resource.
Getting Started
Which hand will tell us approximately what time it is?
Student Solutions
Ruth from Leaden Hall School wrote to us to say:
I started on $20$ past $12$, because that is the earliest one (if you think of it as $20$ past $12$ in the morning).
After, I just followed along, continuing, going down into late morning.
Taya, Jessica and Anna from St Joseph also went from the same starting point. Here are the times in the order they gave:
12.20
1.25
1.55
3.10
4.05
5.15
5.50
7.00
7.40
9.30
10.45
11.35
Tia listed the times in the same order but started at 1.25 rather than 12.20.
Someone who didn't give their name pointed out that we don't know whether the times on the clocks are morning (a.m.) or afternoon/evening (p.m.). Could this make a difference to the ordering, I wonder?
Teachers' Resources
What Is the Time?
Can you put the times on these clocks in order?
You can get a copy of these clock times which can be printed out and cut into separate cards.
The same times - in words - are on this sheet.
Printable NRICH Roadshow resource.
Why do this problem?
Possible approach
Key questions
Possible extension
Learners could do the harder related problem The Time Is ... or make up their own problem cards using this sheet.
Possible support
It may be helpful to have a demonstration clock or clocks with gears available.