How to Tell Time on A Clock

Time is an undeniable aspect of human life. Since ancient times, people have utilized various techniques to tell the time. The sundial is the first instrument ever used to track time using sunlight. With scientific advancement, the analog clock and digital clock replaced the ancient methods. So, are you curious about how to tell time on a clock? Let us assist you in this blog.  

Types of Clocks 

From using sticks for telling time to using digital smartwatches, the world has witnessed extraordinary transformations in measuring time. In today’s digital era, the clock is widely used for the same purpose. There are various types of clocks to tell the time. Let’s discuss them in detail.

Analog Clock

An analog clock is a round clock with the numbers 1-12 on its edge. Time on an analog clock is shown by three hands of different sizes for the hour, minute, and seconds. The numbers 1-12 are divided into five equal parts, showing the minutes and seconds. It is divided into four quartz.

An analog clock is a clock with hands representing hours and minutes. Some clocks have a third hand that represents seconds. The smallest hand represents the hour, and the longer one shows minutes. Let’s learn how to tell time on an analog clock.

To read the time on a clock having hands, first focus on the small hand and note the number. It is an hour long. Then, look at the big hand that represents minutes.  

For example:

Look at the analoge clock below and tell what is the correct time?

To find the correct time, we will look at the hands of the clock. We can see that;

• The small hand is standing on 10. So the time is 10 o clock. 
• The minute hand is on 2, which is 10 as the distance between two numbers is divided into five equal parts.  

So, the time on a clock shows that it is 10:10.

Example 2:

With the help of hands, show 6:45 on a clock.

While showing 6:45 on an analog clock, the hour hand will be on 6, and the minute hand will be on 45, as shown below.

Digital Clock 

A digital clock shows time by displaying numbers in a digital format. Digital clocks can either be driven electronically or mechanically. Time in digital clock 

 can be displayed in both 12 and 24-hour formats. Along with time, some electronic clocks also show the date, day, and temperature.

Smartwatches, mobile phones, and other gadgets that show time are forms of digital clocks. 

How to Tell Time on Digital Clock

The numbers are easy to read and understand. So the time on digital clocks can easily be read. The electronic clocks display time through four numbers split in half by a colon. The first two digits represent the hour, and the digits after the colon show the minutes of the hour. Let’s know how to tell time digitally with the help of an example.    

Example: 

Show 3:30 on a clock.

The time 3:30 can be shown on the digital clock as given below. The time is shown with four digits. The two digits 03 before the colon show the hour, and the two digits 30 after the colon represent minutes.  

Terms Related to Telling Time on a Clock

Different terms are used for telling time on a clock. These terms represent different time intervals. Let’s look deep into these terminologies. 

• Quarter to: the term ‘quarter to’ means 15 minutes are remaining until the next hour. For instance, 2:45 on a clock will be read as ‘quarter to three’. It means fifteen minutes are remaining until 3:00.
• Quarter Past: this term means that fifteen minutes have passed since the hour has started. For example, 5:15 will be read as ‘quarter past 5’. 
• Half Past: Half past means that 30 minutes have passed since the hour started. For instance, 9: 30 means ‘half past nine’.  
• A.M: The 24 hours of the day are divided into two equal parts of 12 hours each. The first part of the day, that is, time from 12:00 midnight to 11:59 in the morning is called A.M (Ante Meridiem). For example, 7 00 o’clock in the morning is read as 7 A.M.
•  P.M.: the term P.M. is an acronym of Post meridiem. The second part of the day, i.e, Time from 12:00 noon to 11:59 late at night, is referred to as ‘P.M.’. For instance, 7 00 o’clock in the evening is read as 7 P.M.