When is it 'half past' the hour?
When the minute hand of a clock has moved from 12 and travelled halfway round the clock to point at 6, this is half past the hour.
The hour hand also moves and is halfway from one number to the next one.
On this clock, the minute hand points to 6 so it is half past.
The hour hand points halfway past 8 so it is half past 8.
Watch: Things to do in half an hour
Watch this clip from 大象传媒 Teach all about things you can do in half an hour.
Examples
Can you match the clocks below with these times?
- half past 3
- half past 1
- half past 10
Left - If the minute hand is pointing to 6 and the hour hand is halfway between 10 and 11, it is half past 10.
Middle - If the minute hand is pointing to 6 and the hour hand is halfway between 3 and 4, it is half past 3.
Right - If the minute hand is pointing to 6 and the hour hand is halfway between 1 and 2, it is half past 1.
Top tip
Check the minute hand first because if the minute hand is on the 6 this means it is half past.
Activity 1
Keep looking at a clock throughout the day and practise telling the time.
Look for things you do when it is half past an hour. You could keep a diary of your day.
Remember, the minute hand points at 6 and the hour hand is halfway between two numbers when it is half past.
Activity 2
Have a go at telling the time with this quiz!
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More on Time
Find out more by working through a topic
- count4 of 10
- count5 of 10
- count6 of 10
- count7 of 10
