Elapsed Time
Concept
Elapsed time is the amount of time that passes from the start of an event to its finish. An important tool that goes hand and hand with elapsed time is the clock. Here are a few things we need to remember before we move on to calculating elapsed time.
The hour hand on the clock is the shorter hand.
The minute hand on the clock is the longer hand.
We read time by looking at the hour hand first and then counting the minute hand.
Each number on the clock equals five minutes.
Rules
To calculate elapsed time:
1. Count on in minutes from the earlier time to the nearest hour.
2. Count on in hours to the hour nearest to the later time.
3. Count in minutes to reach the later time.
Add together to get the elapsed time.
Example
How long is it between 3.55 pm and 5.05 pm?
Solution
To calculate elapsed time:
1. Count on in minutes from the earlier time to the nearest hour.
3:55 to 4:00 = 5 minutes
2. Count on in hours to the hour nearest to the later time.
4:00 to 5:00 = 1 hour
3. Count in minutes to reach the later time.
5:00 to 5:05 = 5 minutes
Add together to get the elapsed time.
5 minutes + 1 hour + 5 minutes = 1 hour 10 minutes
Practice Elapsed Time
Practice Problem 1
Find the elapsed time between Clock A and Clock B.
Practice Problem 2
Calculate the time elapsed.
Practice Problem 3
Check this clock.
What will be the time in 3 hours and 30 minutes?
Elapsed time describes the time that has passed from a certain starting point until an end point.
Related Skills
Compare and Convert Units of Time
Money and Time