Solving time word problems
Word problems about time ask you to find a duration, a starting time or a finishing time. Read slowly and picture what happens. Use four simple steps: understand what is asked, plan whether you should add, subtract or count on, solve carefully one step at a time, then check that the answer makes sense. Underlining the given times and the question word often helps you choose the right step.
Key idea
Finish = start + duration. To find how long something lasts, count on from the start time to the finish time.
A worked problem
Worked example
A bus leaves at 0900 and the journey takes 2 hours 30 minutes. When does it arrive? Add the hours: 0900 + 2 hours = 1100. Then add the minutes: 1100 + 30 minutes = 1130. Check: from 0900 to 1130 is indeed 2 hours 30 minutes. So the bus arrives at 1130.
Remember
- Add hours first, then minutes.
- 60 minutes make 1 hour when minutes carry over.
- Always check your answer against the question.
- Write times clearly, and remember 60 minutes make one whole hour when minutes carry over.