Maths in skiing: match or routine time

Quick answer

Maths in skiing helps you read clocks, understand time limits, and plan routines so you know when to start, when to finish, and how long each part takes.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read the time on a clock, understand how long routines take, and use time to plan your skiing day.

• You can tell the time to the nearest minute on an analogue clock
• You understand how to plan a skiing routine using time limits
• You can work out how long a skiing activity takes
• You know how to use time to manage your day

Why this matters

When you go skiing, you need to know time to plan your day. You might have a ski lesson that lasts 45 minutes, or a race that finishes at 3:30 PM. If you don't understand time, you might miss your lesson or be late for lunch. Time helps you know how long you have to do something, and helps you plan your fun!

How it works

Time is shown on clocks. There are two hands on a clock: the short hand shows the hour, and the long hand shows the minutes. If the long hand points to 12, it's a whole hour. If it points to 3, it’s 15 minutes past the hour. If it points to 6, it’s 30 minutes past the hour. If it points to 9, it’s 45 minutes past the hour.

For example:

1. When the short hand is on 2 and the long hand is on 12, it’s 2 o’clock
2. When the short hand is on 3 and the long hand is on 3, it’s 3:15
3. When the short hand is on 4 and the long hand is on 6, it’s 4:30
4. When the short hand is on 5 and the long hand is on 9, it’s 5:45

Examples you can see

Imagine you are at a ski resort and you have a plan:

Now imagine you are on a ski race course. You have to finish the race in 3 minutes. If you start at 10:15, you need to be at the finish line by 10:18.

Try it as a mini adventure

Let’s go on a ski adventure! You are going to plan your own day at the ski resort.

Start time: 7:30 AM

Step 1: Wake up and get ready – 10 minutes

Step 2: Eat breakfast – 20 minutes

Step 3: Get to the ski slope – 15 minutes

Step 4: Ski lesson – 45 minutes

Step 5: Lunch break – 30 minutes

Step 6: Free skiing – 1 hour

Step 7: Go home – 20 minutes

What time do you finish your adventure? Let’s work it out together!

1. Start: 7:30 AM
2. Wake up and get ready: 7:30 AM + 10 minutes = 7:40 AM
3. Eat breakfast: 7:40 AM + 20 minutes = 8:00 AM
4. Get to the ski slope: 8:00 AM + 15 minutes = 8:15 AM
5. Ski lesson: 8:15 AM + 45 minutes = 9:00 AM
6. Lunch break: 9:00 AM + 30 minutes = 9:30 AM
7. Free skiing: 9:30 AM + 1 hour = 10:30 AM
8. Go home: 10:30 AM + 20 minutes = 10:50 AM

You finish your ski adventure at 10:50 AM!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that when the long hand points to 6, it is 6 o’clock.
• Why it happens: Children confuse the hour hand and minute hand.
• Fix: Remember the long hand shows minutes. When it points to 6, it’s 30 minutes past the hour.
• Mistake: Adding minutes incorrectly, like thinking 45 minutes after 2:30 is 2:75.
• Why it happens: Not knowing that 60 minutes make one hour.
• Fix: Count in groups of 10 or 15 minutes. 30 minutes after 2:30 is 3:00.
• Mistake: Not knowing how to read the time when the minute hand is between 12 and 3.
• Why it happens: Confusion about counting minutes in 5-minute intervals.
• Fix: Use the numbers on the clock. Each number is 5 minutes apart.

Parent and carer guide

Help your child learn time by:

1. Using a real clock at home and asking them to tell the time
2. Planning a day together and writing down start and end times
3. Playing a game where you give a time and ask them to set the clock
4. Using a timer to help them understand how long activities take
5. Practising telling time in different ways – like "15 minutes to 3" or "half past 4"

Remember, it’s okay if they make mistakes. Time is a skill that takes practice. Celebrate their progress and keep it fun!

Practice questions

1. What time is it if the short hand is on 5 and the long hand is on 12?
2. What time is it if the short hand is on 3 and the long hand is on 6?
3. If a ski lesson starts at 10:15 and lasts 45 minutes, what time does it end?
4. If you start skiing at 2:30 PM and ski for 1 hour and 15 minutes, what time do you finish?
5. What time is 20 minutes before 4:00 PM?

Answers:

1. 5 o’clock
2. 3:30
3. 11:00 AM
4. 3:45 PM
5. 3:40 PM

FAQ

What is the difference between 12:00 and 12:30 on a clock?

12:00 is exactly noon or midnight, and 12:30 is 30 minutes past noon or midnight.

How do I know when a ski race ends?

Look at the starting time and add how long the race lasts. If it starts at 2:15 PM and lasts 2 minutes, it ends at 2:17 PM.

Can I use a digital clock for skiing?

Yes! Digital clocks show the time in numbers, like 2:30. Both analog and digital clocks are useful for skiing.

Why do we need to know time for skiing?

Knowing time helps you plan your day, know when to start and finish activities, and not miss anything fun.

How can I practice telling time?

You can practice by looking at a clock every day, setting a timer, or playing time games with family.