Time and Timetables
Time and timetables questions test reading and calculating with clock times, both the 12-hour clock (with am/pm) and the 24-hour clock, plus interpreting bus, train and event timetables. In 11+ maths papers these questions often ask for the elapsed time between two clock times, or for the next departure from a list of timings given at regular intervals.
Method
- Learn to convert between the 12-hour clock (using am/pm) and the 24-hour clock, remembering that 12:00 midday is 12:00 in 24-hour time and 12:00 midnight is 00:00.
- When adding or subtracting time, work in stages: reach the next whole hour first, then add or subtract the remaining minutes, remembering there are 60 minutes in an hour, not 100.
- To find elapsed time between two clock times, count forward from the earlier time to the later time, breaking the calculation at each hour.
- When reading a timetable, scan along the correct row or column carefully, and check whether a journey crosses midnight.
- For 'how many events happen' or 'which is the next one' questions, list the relevant times out and count or compare them systematically rather than guessing.
- Always give your final answer in the units or format the question asks for, such as hours and minutes, or the 12-hour clock with am or pm.
Worked example
A coach departs Elmswood at 08:55 and arrives at Fenbridge at 11:20. (a) How long does the journey take? (b) The coach then waits 20 minutes before continuing to Grasmoor, arriving at 12:35. How long does the Fenbridge to Grasmoor leg take?
- From 08:55 to 09:55 is exactly 1 hour.
- From 09:55 to 11:20 is a further 1 hour 25 minutes (09:55 to 10:55 is 1 hour, then 10:55 to 11:20 is 25 minutes).
- Add the two parts together: 1 hour + 1 hour 25 minutes = 2 hours 25 minutes. This is the answer to part (a).
- The coach leaves Fenbridge 20 minutes after arriving, so it departs at 11:20 + 0:20 = 11:40.
- Find the elapsed time from 11:40 to 12:35: this is 55 minutes.
- (a) The journey takes 2 hours 25 minutes. (b) The Fenbridge to Grasmoor leg takes 55 minutes.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A cinema showing starts at 20:15 and finishes at 22:40. (a) Calculate the length of the film. (b) Write 20:15 using the 12-hour clock.
A ferry timetable shows departures every 35 minutes starting at 07:00. (a) List the first four departure times. (b) Hana arrives at the terminal at 09:10. How many minutes must she wait for the next ferry?
Train A departs Filton at 06:55 and is booked to arrive at Merton at 07:40. Train B departs Merton at 07:45 and arrives at Oldbury at 08:22. (a) Train A actually runs 8 minutes late. At what time does it now arrive at Merton? (b) Explain whether a passenger on Train A will catch Train B to Oldbury. (c) The next Train B service departs Merton at 08:15 and takes the same journey time to Oldbury as the original Train B. At what time will the passenger now arrive at Oldbury?
Free printable worksheet
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