Setting clock: o’clock and half past

You learn to set and show a time on a clock.

How to work it out

  1. Set the big hand first: to 12 for o’clock, to 6 for half past.
  2. Then set the small hand: for o’clock exactly on the number.
  3. For half past halfway between numbers: half past three is between 3 and 4.
121234567891011

Set 2:30 on a clock

  1. First set the big hand at the 6 (that is 30 minutes).
  2. Then set the small hand between the 2 and 3.
  3. The clock shows 2:30.
More examples

Set 4:15 on a clock

  1. First set the big hand at the 3 (that is 15 minutes).
  2. Then set the small hand just past the 4.
  3. The clock shows 4:15.

Set 9:45 on a clock

  1. First set the big hand at the 9 (that is 45 minutes).
  2. Then set the small hand just before the 10.
  3. The clock shows 9:45.