Maths Adventures
Train maths quest: time
A story-led junior maths adventure using timetables, distances and platform clues to read clocks, plan routes and beat countdowns.
Quick answer
You can use clocks, timetables, and platform numbers to plan your train journey and make sure you catch the right train on time.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to read train timetables, tell the time on clocks, and work out how long your journey will take. Success signs:- You can read the time when the train leaves and when it arrives
- You can work out how many minutes or hours a journey takes
- You can find the right platform number for your train
- You can plan a journey using a timetable
Why this matters
When you take a train, you need to know the time. You must know when your train leaves and when it arrives. You also need to know which platform to go to. This helps you not miss your train and get to where you want to go on time. Understanding time helps you plan your day, whether it's getting to school, playing football, or going to a birthday party.How it works
Think of a train journey like a puzzle. You have to find the pieces that fit together:- First, you look at the timetable to see when the train leaves
- Then, you check the clock to see if it's the right time
- Next, you find the platform number where the train will be
- Finally, you work out how long the journey will take
Examples you can see
Let's imagine you are going to visit your friend who lives 2 hours away by train. Your train leaves at 10:30 and arrives at 12:30. That means your journey takes 2 hours. Train timetable example:| Train Number | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express 123 | 10:30 | 12:30 | 4 |
| Local 456 | 11:15 | 13:45 | 2 |
- Express 123 leaves at 10:30 and arrives at 12:30
- Local 456 leaves at 11:15 and arrives at 13:45
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Train Time Challenge You are going to take a train to visit your grandma. You need to plan your journey carefully. Step 1: Find the train that leaves at 9:45 from platform 3. Step 2: Your train arrives at 11:30. How long is your journey? Step 3: You need to be at the station 10 minutes before the train leaves. What time should you arrive at the station? Step 4: You have a 30-minute break at the station before your train comes. What time does your break end? Step 5: What time is it when your train arrives at your grandma's station? Answer:- Train 789 leaves at 9:45 from platform 3
- Your journey is 1 hour and 45 minutes
- You should arrive at 9:35
- Your break ends at 10:15
- Your train arrives at 11:30
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking 10:45 is 10:45 in the morning and 10:45 in the evening
Why it happens: Not understanding the difference between morning and evening times
Fix: Remember that 10:45 in the morning is 10:45am and 10:45 in the evening is 10:45pm - Mistake: Adding the hours and minutes separately without carrying over
Why it happens: Not understanding that 60 minutes = 1 hour
Fix: Add the minutes first, then add the hours, and convert 60 minutes to 1 hour - Mistake: Confusing platform 1 with platform 10
Why it happens: Not paying attention to numbers
Fix: Look carefully at the platform numbers and remember that 10 is bigger than 1
Parent and carer guide
To help your child with this train time adventure:- Use a real timetable or draw your own for practice
- Set a timer and play a game where you have to be at the station 10 minutes early
- Ask questions like "How long will your journey take?" or "What time do you need to leave to get there on time?"
- Make it fun by pretending you are going on a trip
- Check that your child understands that 12:00 is noon and 00:00 is midnight
- Practice reading the time on clocks and matching it to the timetable
Practice questions
- Train 123 leaves at 8:15 and arrives at 10:00. How long is the journey?
- Train 456 leaves at 14:30 and arrives at 16:45. How long is the journey?
- If your train arrives at 15:20 and the journey took 2 hours and 15 minutes, what time did it leave?
- What time is 1 hour and 30 minutes after 9:45?
- Platform 7 is next to platform 6. What platform comes before platform 7?
- 1 hour and 45 minutes
- 2 hours and 15 minutes
- 13:05
- 11:15
- Platform 6
FAQ
What is a timetable?
A timetable is a list of times when things happen. For trains, it shows when each train leaves and arrives.
How do I read a clock?
A clock has two hands. The short hand shows the hour and the long hand shows the minutes. When the long hand points to 12, it's a full hour.
What is the difference between 12:00 and 00:00?
12:00 is noon (middle of the day) and 00:00 is midnight (middle of the night).
How do I work out how long a journey takes?
Subtract the start time from the end time. For example, if a train leaves at 9:30 and arrives at 11:15, the journey takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Why do I need to know platform numbers?
Platform numbers tell you where to wait for your train. If you go to the wrong platform, you might miss your train.