Solving time word problems
Read the story carefully. Find the start time, the end time, or the duration (how long something lasts). Then decide whether to add or subtract.
Key idea
Duration = end time − start time. To find the end time, add the duration to the start time.
Four steps
1) Understand what is asked. 2) Plan (add or subtract). 3) Solve. 4) Check your answer makes sense.
Worked example
A cartoon starts at 3:00 p.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. How long is it?
From 3:00 to 5:00 is 5 − 3 = 2 hours.
Remember
- Count the hours first, then the minutes.
- 60 minutes make 1 hour.
- Always check: does the answer sound sensible?