Time intervals: converting units of time
In a nutshell
Just like with converting between units of mass, length and volume, units of time often need to be converted between; especially when working with time intervals.
Converting time units
The following conversion diagram can be used to convert between units of time. It's important that you learn these off by heart!
| - ms - milliseconds
- s - seconds
- min - minutes
- h - hours
- days
|
Example 1
How many minutes are there in 36 hours?
Work out the conversion factor.
60 minutes=1 hour
The conversion factor is 60.
To go from hours to minutes, multiply.
36×60=2160 minutes
Converting time units in steps
Sometimes a conversion requires more than one step.
Example 2
How many seconds are there in 6 days?
First convert six days into hours.
6×24=144 hours
Then convert into minutes.
144×60=8640 minutes
Then finally convert into seconds.
8640×60=518400 seconds
Conversions involving decimals
When decimals are involved in time conversions, care must be taken. When working with two time units, always make sure to separate the integers (whole numbers) and the decimals, converting the decimals into the smaller unit.
PROCEDURE
1.
| Divide by the conversion factor to get a decimal.
|
2.
| Multiply the whole number by the conversion factor and take this away from the original time.
|
3.
| Use what's left as the smaller units and write the answer using both units. |
Example 3
What is 728 hours in days and hours?
Divide by the conversion factor: 24.
728÷24=30.3333
Multiply the whole number (thirty) by the conversion factor and take away from 728.
30×24=720728−720=8
Write the answer using what's left as the smaller units.
30 days and 8 hours
Reading timetables
Conversion of time units are often used when answering questions about timetables. Timetables are written in chronological order, meaning as you read across, the times increase.
Example 4
The timetable is part of a bus timetable showing departures from three different stops.
Stop 1
| 15:21
| 15:53
| 16:25
| 16:57
|
Stop 2
| 15:26
| 16:00
| 16:32
| 17:04
|
Stop 3
| 15:30
| 16:04
| 16:36
| 17:08
|
How long is there between the first and last bus from any stop? Give your answer in minutes.
First notice that at each stop, the bus comes equally as often. Therefore, only one row needs to be focused on - let's use 'Stop 1'.
Read along from 'Stop 1' to the first and last column to identify the first and last bus times.
First: 15:21
Last: 16:57
Work out the difference between the two times in steps.
15:21→16:21=1 hour
16:21→16:57=36 minutes
Write the answer in full.
1 hour 36 minutes
Convert into minutes.
1 hour =60 minutes
1 hour 36 minutes =60+36=96 minutes
Time intervals: converting units of time
In a nutshell
Just like with converting between units of mass, length and volume, units of time often need to be converted between; especially when working with time intervals.
Converting time units
The following conversion diagram can be used to convert between units of time. It's important that you learn these off by heart!
| - ms - milliseconds
- s - seconds
- min - minutes
- h - hours
- days
|
Example 1
How many minutes are there in 36 hours?
Work out the conversion factor.
60 minutes=1 hour
The conversion factor is 60.
To go from hours to minutes, multiply.
36×60=2160 minutes
Converting time units in steps
Sometimes a conversion requires more than one step.
Example 2
How many seconds are there in 6 days?
First convert six days into hours.
6×24=144 hours
Then convert into minutes.
144×60=8640 minutes
Then finally convert into seconds.
8640×60=518400 seconds
Conversions involving decimals
When decimals are involved in time conversions, care must be taken. When working with two time units, always make sure to separate the integers (whole numbers) and the decimals, converting the decimals into the smaller unit.
PROCEDURE
1.
| Divide by the conversion factor to get a decimal.
|
2.
| Multiply the whole number by the conversion factor and take this away from the original time.
|
3.
| Use what's left as the smaller units and write the answer using both units. |
Example 3
What is 728 hours in days and hours?
Divide by the conversion factor: 24.
728÷24=30.3333
Multiply the whole number (thirty) by the conversion factor and take away from 728.
30×24=720728−720=8
Write the answer using what's left as the smaller units.
30 days and 8 hours
Reading timetables
Conversion of time units are often used when answering questions about timetables. Timetables are written in chronological order, meaning as you read across, the times increase.
Example 4
The timetable is part of a bus timetable showing departures from three different stops.
Stop 1
| 15:21
| 15:53
| 16:25
| 16:57
|
Stop 2
| |
