Define Time
We have heard a lot many times that time is precious. So, what is time? In life, time is the most valuable thing a person can have and spend. While in terms of mathematics, time is described as the ongoing order of events that takes place in succession, from the past through the present to the future. Having said that, below we have illustrated the child's daily routine events in a pictorial form. These events have been put in sequence as per the time they occurred.
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Usefulness of Time in Mathematics
Time is used to measure, calculate and compare the duration of events or the intervals between them, as well as, sequence events.
How to Measure Time
There are two different forms of measurement essentially used in today’s time to identify time i.e.: the calendar and the clock.
Measurement of Time
You should know that the measurement of time is read by a 24-hour clock or a watch.
Any watch or clock other than a digital watch has a dial. On the circular periphery of the watch or the clock’s dial, there are the hour numbers from 1 to 12 at equal intervals. In the middle of two numbers, there are five divisions. Each division depicts a minute.
There are two hands of varying lengths consisting of one of the ends fixed at the middle of the dial. The small hand represents the hour hand while the longer hand is the minute hand. The hour-hand progresses slower compared to the minute hand. There is also a 3rd hand known as the second-hand. It moves rapidly.
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Time is measured in various forms like seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years using the clocks and calendars.
A day consists of 24 hours. We use the term AM to tell time running from midnight to noon and PM for time running from noon to midnight. UNderstand the Am Pm clock clearly from the image below.
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Measurement of Time Using Clocks
We define and measure what time of the day or night it is using clocks. Usually, a clock has 12 numbers imprinted on it, from 1 to 12. It consists of a minute hand and an hour hand. The time is generally dependent upon the 12-hour clock.
The minute hand, the longer hand amongst the two, completes 1 rotation through 360° in 60 minutes. Whereas, the hour hand, the shorter of the two hands, completes 1 rotation (360°) in 12 hours in usual 12-hour time duration.
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Noon and Midnight
"12 PM" and "12 AM" can get us confused, therefore we prefer using "12 noon" and "12 midnight".
Convert AM/PM to 24 Hour Clock
Add up 12 to any hour after Noon (and deduct 12 for the 1st hour of the day):
For the 1st hour of the day (12 Midnight to 12:59 AM), deduct 12 Hours
For Example: 12 Midnight = 00:00,
12:25 AM = 00:25
From 1:00 AM to 12:59 PM, no alteration.
History of Time
During the era of Ancient Greece, there exist different concepts of time which have been hypothesized by various scientists and philosophers over an extensive time period of human history. One of the earlier views has been showcased by Aristotle- the ancient Greek philosopher during (384-322 BC). He defined time as "a number of movements with reference to the before and after.
Typically, Aristotle's view of time described it as a measurement of change needing the prevalence of some sort of change or motion. He also had a notion that time was boundless and continuous, and that the universe always did exist, and always will.
Amazingly, he was also one of, if not the first individual to present the theory. that time existing of two different types of non-existence makes time existing at all, debatable.
Fun Facts
Time is one thing in this universe that’s unstoppable! It runs uninterruptedly.
Conclusion
Rather than handing out worksheets on marking time, you should make an hourly time table for yourself. Moreover, you should observe how much time you take to complete different tasks during a day.
FAQs on Time
1. What is time in Maths and why do we measure it?
In Mathematics, time is the ongoing sequence of events. We measure time to understand the duration between events, to sequence them in order (like morning, afternoon, and night), and to plan our daily activities. It helps us know when to go to school, when to eat, and when to play.
2. What are the basic units used to measure time, from smallest to largest?
The basic units for measuring time are arranged from the shortest to the longest duration as follows:
- Second: The smallest standard unit of time.
- Minute: Equal to 60 seconds.
- Hour: Equal to 60 minutes.
- Day: Equal to 24 hours.
- Week: Equal to 7 days.
- Month: Consists of 28 to 31 days.
- Year: Equal to 12 months or 365 days (366 in a leap year).
3. How do you read time on a traditional analog clock?
An analog clock uses hands to show the time. To read it correctly, observe the following:
- The short hand is the hour hand. It moves slowly and points towards the hour number.
- The long hand is the minute hand. It moves faster than the hour hand and points to the minutes. Each number on the clock face represents 5 minutes.
- The thin, fast-moving hand is the second hand, which counts the seconds.
4. What is the main difference between a.m. and p.m.?
The terms a.m. and p.m. are used to divide a 24-hour day into two 12-hour periods to avoid confusion.
- a.m. (ante meridiem) means 'before midday'. This period runs from 12 midnight to 11:59 in the morning.
- p.m. (post meridiem) means 'after midday'. This period runs from 12 noon to 11:59 at night.
5. Why does a clock have different hands moving at different speeds?
The different speeds of a clock's hands are essential for measuring different units of time accurately. The hour hand moves the slowest because it tracks a long duration of 12 hours. The minute hand is faster, completing a full circle in 60 minutes. The second hand is the fastest, completing a full circle every 60 seconds. This layered system allows for precise time-telling at a glance.
6. How is the 24-hour clock format different from the 12-hour format, and why is it important?
The 24-hour clock format expresses time from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59. Unlike the 12-hour format, it does not use a.m. or p.m. After 12:00 noon, the hours continue as 13:00 (1 p.m.), 14:00 (2 p.m.), and so on. This format is very important in fields like transport (railways, airlines) and military operations because it eliminates any ambiguity between morning and evening, preventing critical scheduling errors.
7. How can you calculate the time duration between two points? For example, if a movie starts at 3:15 p.m. and lasts for 2 hours and 10 minutes, what time will it end?
To calculate the end time, you add the duration to the start time. For a movie starting at 3:15 p.m.:
- First, add the hours: 3 p.m. + 2 hours = 5 p.m.
- Next, add the minutes: 15 minutes + 10 minutes = 25 minutes.
8. Why can using '12 o'clock' be confusing and what are better ways to state the time?
Using '12 o'clock' or 'midnight on Tuesday' can be ambiguous because it might refer to the start or end of the day. To ensure clarity, it is better to use more specific terms:
- Use 12 noon for the middle of the day.
- Use 12 midnight for the start of a new day.
