Clock Numbers 12 times table adventure

Quick answer

You can use a clock face to practice the 12 times table by counting the numbers around the clock and multiplying them by 12. Each number on the clock represents a group of 12, so 1 o'clock is 12, 2 o'clock is 24, and so on, all the way up to 12 o'clock being 144.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to multiply any number from 1 to 12 by 12 and understand how this connects to real-life situations using a clock face.

• You can count in groups of 12 up to 12 times
• You can solve multiplication problems using the clock numbers
• You can connect 12 times table facts to real-life examples like time, speed, and journeys
• You can use a clock to help you remember your 12 times table

Why this matters

Learning your 12 times table helps you in many ways. It helps you tell time more quickly, helps you understand how fast things move, and makes it easier to work out how long journeys take. For example, if you know that 12 times 6 is 72, you can quickly work out that 6 hours is 72 minutes. You can also use this knowledge when you're helping your parents with cooking, shopping, or even planning your day.

How it works

Think of a clock face. The numbers go from 1 to 12 around the outside. Each number shows how many groups of 12 you have. For example:

1. At 1 o'clock, you have 1 group of 12 = 12
2. At 2 o'clock, you have 2 groups of 12 = 24
3. At 3 o'clock, you have 3 groups of 12 = 36
4. At 4 o'clock, you have 4 groups of 12 = 48
5. At 5 o'clock, you have 5 groups of 12 = 60
6. At 6 o'clock, you have 6 groups of 12 = 72
7. At 7 o'clock, you have 7 groups of 12 = 84
8. At 8 o'clock, you have 8 groups of 12 = 96
9. At 9 o'clock, you have 9 groups of 12 = 108
10. At 10 o'clock, you have 10 groups of 12 = 120
11. At 11 o'clock, you have 11 groups of 12 = 132
12. At 12 o'clock, you have 12 groups of 12 = 144

Examples you can see

Imagine you're at a big football match. The game lasts 90 minutes. If you want to know how many minutes are in 2 games, you can use your 12 times table. One game is 90 minutes, so two games are 180 minutes. But wait – 90 is 12 times 7.5, so 12 times 15 is 180. Let’s think of a simpler way.

Let’s say you have a 12-hour clock and you're watching a movie that lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can think of this as 1 hour and 30 minutes = 90 minutes. If you want to know how many minutes are in 3 movies, you can count in groups of 90:

• 1 movie = 90 minutes
• 2 movies = 180 minutes
• 3 movies = 270 minutes

But if you know that 12 times 10 is 120, then 12 times 15 is 180. So if you're watching 3 movies that are 60 minutes each, you're watching 180 minutes. You can count in groups of 60 or in groups of 12.

Let’s use a clock to help. Each number on the clock is 12. So if you count around the clock:

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are a time-traveler who has landed on a strange planet where the clocks have 12 numbers, just like Earth. You need to find out how many minutes are in different time periods to escape. Here’s your challenge:

1. At 1 o'clock, you see 12 minutes pass
2. At 2 o'clock, you see 24 minutes pass
3. At 3 o'clock, you see 36 minutes pass
4. At 4 o'clock, you see 48 minutes pass
5. At 5 o'clock, you see 60 minutes pass
6. At 6 o'clock, you see 72 minutes pass
7. At 7 o'clock, you see 84 minutes pass
8. At 8 o'clock, you see 96 minutes pass
9. At 9 o'clock, you see 108 minutes pass
10. At 10 o'clock, you see 120 minutes pass
11. At 11 o'clock, you see 132 minutes pass
12. At 12 o'clock, you see 144 minutes pass

Now, if you want to escape in 120 minutes, at which hour should you leave? The answer is 10 o'clock, because 10 times 12 is 120.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking 12 x 12 = 120 instead of 144.
  Why it happens: Confusing multiplication with addition or forgetting the pattern of 12s.
  Fix: Use the clock to count around and check your answer. 12 groups of 12 = 144.
• Mistake: Mixing up 12 x 5 = 50 and 12 x 5 = 60.
  Why it happens: Confusing 5 with 10 or miscounting.
  Fix: Use repeated addition: 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 = 60.
• Mistake: Not using the clock to help when learning.
  Why it happens: Thinking maths is just numbers.
  Fix: Draw a clock and practice counting around it to build memory.

Parent and carer guide

If your child is learning the 12 times table, here’s how you can help:

1. Draw a clock with numbers 1 to 12 around it.
2. Count together, starting from 1 o'clock and going around the clock.
3. Ask your child to say the multiplication facts as you go.
4. Use a real clock to show how many minutes pass in one hour (60 minutes = 12 x 5).
5. Make it fun by playing a game: “What time is it?” and “What’s 12 times that number?”
6. Don’t worry if your child makes a mistake. Use the clock to help them see the answer.
7. Encourage your child to use their 12 times table when they’re shopping, cooking, or planning a trip.
8. Give praise for effort, not just correct answers.
9. Remember, learning times tables takes time. Be patient and keep practicing.
10. Ask questions like, “How many minutes are in 3 hours?” or “If you walk 12 steps every minute, how many steps do you take in 5 minutes?”

Practice questions

1. What is 12 x 3?
   Answer: 36
2. What is 12 x 7?
   Answer: 84
3. What is 12 x 9?
   Answer: 108
4. What is 12 x 11?
   Answer: 132
5. What is 12 x 12?
   Answer: 144
6. How many minutes are in 4 hours?
   Answer: 240
7. How many minutes are in 6 hours?
   Answer: 360
8. How many minutes are in 10 hours?
   Answer: 600
9. How many minutes are in 12 hours?
   Answer: 720
10. How many minutes are in 15 hours?
    Answer: 900

FAQ

What is the 12 times table?
The 12 times table is a list of multiplication facts where 12 is multiplied by numbers from 1 to 12. For example, 12 x 1 = 12, 12 x 2 = 24, and so on up to 12 x 12 = 144.

Why is the 12 times table useful?
It helps you understand time, measure speed, and solve problems quickly. For example, if you know that 12 x 5 = 60, you can easily tell that 5 hours is 300 minutes.

How can I remember the 12 times table?
You can use a clock face to help. Each number on the clock represents a group of 12. Count around the clock and say the multiplication facts aloud.

Can I use the 12 times table for anything else?
Yes! You can use it to work out how long a journey takes, how much something costs if it’s sold in groups of 12, or even to count how many legs a group of 12 spiders would have (12 x 8 = 96).

What if I get confused with 12 x 12?
That’s okay! 12 x 12 is 144. You can think of it as 12 groups of 12. Draw a clock, count around it, and you’ll see the pattern. Practice makes progress!