Setting clock: o’clock and half past
You learn to set and show a time on a clock.
How to work it out
- Set the big hand first: to 12 for o’clock, to 6 for half past.
- Then set the small hand: for o’clock exactly on the number.
- For half past halfway between numbers: half past three is between 3 and 4.
Set 2:30 on a clock
- First set the big hand at the 6 (that is 30 minutes).
- Then set the small hand between the 2 and 3.
- The clock shows 2:30.
More examples
Set 4:15 on a clock
- First set the big hand at the 3 (that is 15 minutes).
- Then set the small hand just past the 4.
- The clock shows 4:15.
Set 9:45 on a clock
- First set the big hand at the 9 (that is 45 minutes).
- Then set the small hand just before the 10.
- The clock shows 9:45.