Maths in ice skating: match or routine time

Quick answer

You can use maths to tell the time when ice skating, especially when timing routines or matches. This helps skaters know when to stop and how long they have left.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read a clock and understand how time limits work in ice skating routines and matches. You will also be able to count minutes and seconds and know how to use this in real skating situations.

• You can tell the time on an analogue clock to the nearest minute.
• You understand how time limits are used in skating routines.
• You can work out how much time is left in a skating routine.
• You can use your time skills to plan your skating practice.

Why this matters

Ice skating is a sport where time is very important. Skaters must follow strict time limits for their routines. If they go over time, they might lose points. Knowing how to read a clock and understand time helps skaters do their best. It also helps parents and coaches keep track of practice time and plan well. You use maths in your daily life too – like when you wait for your bus or count down the seconds before a game starts.

How it works

Ice skating routines and matches are timed. A routine usually has a time limit, like 3 minutes. If a skater takes longer than that, they might get a penalty. So, it's important to know how much time you have. Here’s how it works:

1. First, look at the clock. It has a big hand (minute hand) and a small hand (hour hand).
2. Each number on the clock represents 5 minutes. So, if the big hand is on 4, it’s 20 minutes past the hour.
3. If the small hand is between 2 and 3, it's past 2 o’clock but not yet 3 o’clock.
4. Count how many minutes have passed since the start of the routine.
5. When you know how much time is left, you can plan your moves.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are in a skating routine that lasts 3 minutes. Your coach starts the timer at 10:00. Here’s how it works:

You can also use this with a stopwatch. If your routine is 2 minutes, you can count down from 2:00 to 0:00.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Skating Clock Challenge

You are a skater in a big competition. You have a routine that must last exactly 3 minutes. Your coach gives you a clock and says, “Start your routine when the big hand is on 12 and the small hand is on 1.”

1. First time: What time is it? 1:00
2. Second time: You’ve done 1 minute. What time is it now? 1:01
3. Third time: You’ve done 3 minutes. What time is it now? 1:03
4. Fourth time: You’ve done 5 minutes. What time is it now? 1:05
5. Fifth time: You’ve done 10 minutes. What time is it now? 1:10
6. Sixth time: You’ve done 15 minutes. What time is it now? 1:15
7. Seventh time: You’ve done 20 minutes. What time is it now? 1:20
8. Eighth time: You’ve done 25 minutes. What time is it now? 1:25
9. Ninth time: You’ve done 30 minutes. What time is it now? 1:30
10. Tenth time: You’ve done 3 minutes. What time is it now? 1:03

When you reach 1:03, you know your routine is over. You’ve done it exactly on time!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking the big hand shows the hour.
  Why it happens: The big hand shows minutes, not hours.
  Fix: Remember, the big hand is the minute hand, and the small hand is the hour hand.
• Mistake: Counting the numbers on the clock as minutes.
  Why it happens: Some children think each number equals 1 minute.
  Fix: Each number equals 5 minutes. Count by 5s!
• Mistake: Not knowing how to read the time when it’s past the hour.
  Why it happens: The minute hand can go past 12.
  Fix: Add the minutes to the hour. For example, 1:20 means 20 minutes past 1 o’clock.
• Mistake: Forgetting that time goes up to 60 minutes.
  Why it happens: It's hard to imagine 60 minutes.
  Fix: Remember, 60 minutes = 1 hour. So, 1:60 = 2:00.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child practice reading time with these simple tips:

• Use a real clock at home and ask your child to tell the time every hour or so.
• Play a game: “What time is it?” and have them set the clock to the correct time.
• Use a stopwatch to time short activities like brushing teeth or cleaning up toys.
• Make a routine chart with times. For example, “Skating practice starts at 3:30”.
• Practice counting in 5s to help them understand how the minute hand moves.
• Encourage your child to count how many minutes they have left in a task.
• Ask questions like, “If your routine is 2 minutes and you’ve done 1 minute, how much time is left?”
• Don’t worry if they make mistakes – it’s part of learning!
• Keep it fun and positive. Celebrate their progress!
• Be patient and offer support without pressure.

Practice questions

1. What time is it if the big hand is on 6 and the small hand is on 2?
   Answer: 2:30
2. If your routine starts at 10:15 and lasts 2 minutes, what time does it end?
   Answer: 10:17
3. How many minutes are there between 3:00 and 3:45?
   Answer: 45 minutes
4. What time is it if the big hand is on 12 and the small hand is on 5?
   Answer: 5:00
5. If a routine lasts 4 minutes and starts at 1:10, what time does it end?
   Answer: 1:14
6. How many minutes are there between 9:00 and 9:50?
   Answer: 50 minutes
7. If the clock shows 11:40, how many minutes are left until 12:00?
   Answer: 20 minutes
8. What time is it if the big hand is on 9 and the small hand is on 12?
   Answer: 12:45
9. If a routine starts at 2:05 and ends at 2:35, how long did it last?
   Answer: 30 minutes
10. What time is it if the big hand is on 3 and the small hand is on 7?
    Answer: 7:15

FAQ

How do I know which hand is the minute hand?

The minute hand is the long hand on the clock. It moves around the clock once every 60 minutes.

Why is it important to know how to read time in ice skating?

Skaters must follow strict time limits. Going over time can cost them points in competitions.

Can I use a digital clock for skating?

Yes, but it’s good to know how to read an analogue clock too, especially in competitions where analog clocks are used.

How can I practice reading time?

You can practice by setting a timer for 5 minutes and seeing how long it takes to do a task. Or use a real clock and ask someone to tell you the time.

What if I’m not good at counting in 5s?

That’s okay! You can use your fingers to count by 5s. Each finger is 5 minutes.