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Athletics Maths

Maths in athletics: sprint times

Read seconds with tenths and hundredths.

Quick answer

You can read sprint times in athletics by looking at the numbers after the decimal point – the first digit is tenths and the second is hundredths. For example, 12.43 seconds means 12 whole seconds, 4 tenths of a second, and 3 hundredths of a second.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read and understand sprint times in athletics that include tenths and hundredths of a second. Success signs:
  • You can say the time out loud, like "12 point four three seconds"
  • You can compare two sprint times to see which is faster
  • You can write a sprint time like 13.67 seconds from a race
  • You can use a stopwatch or timer to measure a short run and write the time correctly

Why this matters

In athletics, especially sprinting, times are very precise. Even a tiny difference – like 0.01 seconds – can mean the difference between winning and losing a race. Understanding how to read these times helps you follow races, track your own progress, and know how fast you're getting. Whether you're watching your school's sports day or trying to beat your own time, knowing how to read these numbers is important.

How it works

Sprint times are shown in seconds, with a decimal point. The number before the decimal point is the whole seconds. The digits after the decimal point show parts of a second. Let’s break it down:
  1. First digit after the decimal point = tenths of a second
  2. Second digit after the decimal point = hundredths of a second
For example:
  • 10.5 seconds = 10 whole seconds and 5 tenths of a second
  • 11.23 seconds = 11 whole seconds, 2 tenths, and 3 hundredths of a second
This is like counting money: 10.50 pounds means 10 pounds and 50 pence. Here, 10.50 seconds means 10 seconds and 50 hundredths of a second (which is the same as 5 tenths).

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you're watching a race with your friend. You see these times: Example Sprint Times
Race Time What it means
12.3 seconds 12 seconds and 3 tenths of a second
14.67 seconds 14 seconds, 6 tenths, and 7 hundredths of a second
10.05 seconds 10 seconds and 5 hundredths of a second
You can also think of it like this:
  • 12.3 seconds = 12.30 seconds (just adding a zero)
  • 14.67 seconds = 14.67 seconds (already in tenths and hundredths)
You can draw it too:
  • Draw a number line from 12 to 13 seconds, and mark 0.3 somewhere between 12 and 13
  • Draw a clock face and show 12.43 seconds by marking the 43rd second after 12 seconds

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Fastest Runner Challenge! You are the coach of a school athletics team. Your job is to find the fastest runner from three races. You have the following times:
  • Emma: 13.4 seconds
  • Jack: 13.2 seconds
  • Lily: 13.6 seconds
Your task is to:
  1. Write each time clearly
  2. Decide who is fastest
  3. Write the times in order from fastest to slowest
You can do this by comparing the tenths first:
  • 13.2 seconds (2 tenths)
  • 13.4 seconds (4 tenths)
  • 13.6 seconds (6 tenths)
So, the order is: Jack (13.2), Emma (13.4), Lily (13.6). Now, you can race with your friends. Set a timer and try to beat your best time. Record your times and see how close you can get to the top athletes!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 12.3 seconds is slower than 12.2 seconds.
    Why it happens: Confusing the decimal places.
    Fix: Remember that 3 tenths is more than 2 tenths, so 12.3 is slower than 12.2.
  • Mistake: Writing 12.45 seconds as "12 point four five seconds".
    Why it happens: Not knowing how to say decimal numbers.
    Fix: Say it as "12 point four five seconds" or "12 and 45 hundredths seconds".
  • Mistake: Adding extra zeros in the wrong place.
    Why it happens: Not understanding place value.
    Fix: 12.3 seconds is the same as 12.30 seconds, but not 12.03 seconds.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Practising reading times aloud with your child
  • Using a stopwatch or phone timer to time short activities like running or jumping
  • Encouraging your child to write their own times
  • Playing a game where you race and time each other
  • Using real-world examples like race times from the news or school sports day
It’s important not to pressure your child to be fast, but to focus on learning how to read and understand the numbers. If they get confused, gently guide them through the place values.

Practice questions

  1. What does 11.56 seconds mean?
  2. Which is faster: 13.2 seconds or 13.1 seconds?
  3. Write 14.07 seconds in words.
  4. Compare these times: 12.8 seconds and 12.6 seconds.
  5. How many tenths are in 15.34 seconds?
Answers:
  1. 11 seconds, 5 tenths, and 6 hundredths
  2. 13.1 seconds is faster
  3. Fifteen point zero seven seconds
  4. 12.6 seconds is faster
  5. 3 tenths

FAQ

How do I know which is faster in sprint times?

The smaller the number, the faster the time. For example, 12.3 seconds is faster than 12.5 seconds.

Why do we use tenths and hundredths in sprinting?

Because sprinting races are very fast, even a tiny difference in time matters. Using tenths and hundredths helps us be very precise.

Can I use a stopwatch to measure my own sprint times?

Yes! You can use a phone stopwatch or a simple timer to measure how long it takes you to run a short distance.

How do I read 10.05 seconds?

You say "10 point zero five seconds" – that means 10 seconds and 5 hundredths of a second.

What if I don’t understand decimal places?

That’s okay! You can practice with visual aids like number lines or by using coins (like 10p, 5p) to understand parts of a whole.