Real World Maths Adventures
The music festival timetable question prompts
Adult prompts and extension questions for use set times, song lengths, stages and schedules.
Quick answer
You can use a music festival timetable to work out when songs start and finish, how long performances last, and plan your day to see your favourite acts.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to read a timetable, work out when shows start and finish, and use time to plan your day at a music festival. Success signs:- You can find the start time of a show on a timetable
- You can add up how long a performance lasts
- You can work out when a show finishes
- You can plan which shows to watch by looking at the schedule
Why this matters
Timetables help you plan your day when you're at a music festival, just like they help you plan your school day. You’ll use maths to work out how long each song or band is, when they start, and how to fit in all your favourite acts. This helps you make the most of your time, whether you're at a real festival or just imagining one.How it works
Timetables show when things happen, usually in order from morning to evening. You can use the times to work out how long something lasts and plan your day. Let’s imagine you're planning your day at a music festival. First, you look at the start time of a show. Then, you add the length of the show to find out when it ends. If you want to see two shows, you check if they overlap or if there’s time between them. You can also use a timetable to work out how much time you have between shows or how long you've been at the festival.Examples you can see
Let’s look at a simple festival schedule.| Time | Act | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | Pop Star Band | 45 minutes |
| 10:45 | Rock Legends | 1 hour |
| 12:00 | Indie Vibes | 30 minutes |
- 10:00 → Pop Star Band starts
- 10:45 → Pop Star Band ends
- 10:45 → Rock Legends starts
- 11:45 → Rock Legends ends
- 12:00 → Indie Vibes starts
- 12:30 → Indie Vibes ends
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: Plan Your Festival Day! You are planning your day at a music festival. You want to see three acts: Pop Star Band, Rock Legends, and Indie Vibes. Here’s the schedule:| Time | Act | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | Pop Star Band | 45 minutes |
| 11:00 | Rock Legends | 1 hour |
| 12:30 | Indie Vibes | 30 minutes |
- What time does Pop Star Band finish?
- What time does Rock Legends finish?
- What time does Indie Vibes finish?
- Can you fit all three shows in one day? How?
- What time do you have to leave the festival if the last show ends at 2:00 PM?
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Adding hours and minutes without carrying over.
Why it happens: Children might add 45 minutes to 10:00 and get 10:45, which is correct, but if they add 1 hour 30 minutes to 10:45, they might get 11:75.
Fix: Remember that 60 minutes = 1 hour. So 10:45 + 1 hour 30 minutes = 12:15. - Mistake: Confusing start and end times.
Why it happens: Children might think the end time is the same as the start time.
Fix: Always add the duration to the start time to find the end time. - Mistake: Not checking if shows overlap.
Why it happens: Children might not understand that two shows can't happen at the same time.
Fix: Look at the timetable to see if shows start at the same time or if there's a gap.
Parent and carer guide
You can help your child by:- Using a real timetable from a local event or festival to practice
- Playing a game where you ask your child to work out when shows start and finish
- Using a clock or number line to help visualise time
- Encouraging your child to make their own timetable for a pretend festival
- Checking that your child understands the difference between start and end times
- Using a visual clock to show how time moves forward
- Practising adding minutes to times using a number line
- Repeating the same activity with different times and shows
Practice questions
- What time does a 30-minute show that starts at 2:15 PM finish?
- A 1-hour 15-minute show starts at 4:30 PM. What time does it finish?
- If a show starts at 11:00 AM and finishes at 12:15 PM, how long is it?
- What time does a 45-minute show that starts at 3:20 PM finish?
- If a show starts at 10:45 AM and lasts 1 hour 20 minutes, what time does it finish?
- 2:45 PM
- 6:15 PM
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- 4:05 PM
- 12:05 PM
FAQ
What is a timetable?
A timetable is a list that shows when things happen, like shows, lessons, or events.
How do I use a timetable to plan my day?
You can look at the start times and durations of events. Then, you can work out when each event ends and plan which ones you want to see.
How do I add time to find when a show finishes?
You add the duration of the show to its start time. For example, if a show starts at 10:00 and lasts 45 minutes, it finishes at 10:45.
Can I use a timetable to plan my day at home?
Yes! You can use a timetable to plan your day at home, like when to eat lunch, do homework, or watch a TV show.
Why is it important to know when shows finish?
Knowing when shows finish helps you plan your day and make sure you don’t miss your favourite acts or have time to eat, drink, or rest.