Units of time
We measure time using seconds, minutes, hours, days and weeks. Each unit is linked to the next one, so we can change from one unit to another when we need to.
Key idea
60 seconds = 1 minute · 60 minutes = 1 hour · 24 hours = 1 day · 7 days = 1 week.
A worked example
Worked example
How many minutes are in 2 hours?
1 hour = 60 minutes, so multiply: 2 × 60 = 120 minutes. There are 120 minutes in 2 hours.
Days and weeks
1 week = 7 days, so 2 weeks = 2 × 7 = 14 days. Knowing how the units link helps us read clocks, calendars and timetables. A clock face shows the hours and minutes moving, and a calendar shows the days and weeks going by.
Remember
- 60 seconds = 1 minute.
- 60 minutes = 1 hour.
- 7 days = 1 week.