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Converting Units Of Time
Here we will learn about converting units of time, including converting between seconds, minutes and hours.
There are also worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.
What is converting units of time?
Converting units of time is converting between seconds, minutes and hours.
To do this we need to know how different units of time are related to each other:
1 day = 24 hours
1 hour = 60 minutes
1 minute = 60 seconds
E.g
Convert 4 hours to minutes.
4 \times 60=2404 hours = 240 minutes
What is converting units of time?
How to convert units of time
In order to convert units of time:
- Check the units involved.
- Multiply or divide by the conversion factor.
- Write the answer.
How to convert units of time
Converting units of time worksheet
Get your free converting units of time worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.
DOWNLOAD FREE Converting units of time worksheet
Get your free converting units of time worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.
DOWNLOAD FREERelated lessons on units of measurement
Converting units of time is part of our series of lessons to support revision on units of measurement. You may find it helpful to start with the main units of measurement lesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:
Converting units of time examples
Example 1: days to hours
How many hours are there in 1.5 days?
- Check the units involved.
1 day = 24 hours
So the conversion factor is 24.
2Multiply or divide by the conversion factor.
We need to multiply by 24.
1.5 \times 24=363Write the answer.
1.5 days is 36 hours
Example 2: hours to minutes
How many minutes are there in 2.3 hours?
Check the units involved.
1 hour = 60 minutes.
So the conversion factor is 60.
Multiply or divide by the conversion factor.
We need to multiply by 60.
2.3 \times 60=138
Write the answer.
2.3 hours is 138 minutes
Example 3: hours >>> hours and minutes
Convert 1.4 hours to hours and minutes.
Check the units involved.
1 hour = 60 minutes.
So the conversion factor is 60.
Multiply or divide by the conversion factor.
We need to concentrate on the decimal part of the original number, 0.4.
We multiply by 60 to convert to minutes
0.4 \times 60= 24
Write the answer.
1.4 hours is 1 hour 24 minutes
Example 4: minutes to hours
Convert 324 minutes to hours.
Check the units involved.
1 hour = 60 minutes.
So the conversion factor is 60.
Multiply or divide by the conversion factor.
We need to divide by 60.
324 \div 60=5.4
Write the answer.
324 minutes is 5.4 hours
Example 5: minutes >>> hours and minutes
Convert 520 minutes to hours and minutes
Check the units involved.
1 hour = 60 minutes
So the conversion factor is 60.
Multiply or divide by the conversion factor.
We need to divide by 60.
520 \div 60= 8.66666..... = 8\frac{2}{3}
There are 8 full hours and \frac{2}{3} of an hour.
Let’s convert \frac{2}{3} of an hour to minutes by multiplying by 60.
0.66666… \times 60 =\frac{2}{3}\times 60 = 40
Write the answer.
520 minutes is 8 hours and 40 minutes
Example 6: hours and minutes >>> hours
Convert 2 hours and 45 minutes to hours.
Check the units involved.
1 hour = 60 minutes.
The conversion factor is 60.
Multiply or divide by the conversion factor.
We need to concentrate on the minutes part and convert it to hours by dividing by 60.
45\div 60=\frac{45}{60}=0.75
Write the answer.
2 hours and 45 minutes is 2.75 hours
Common misconceptions
- Base \bf{10} and base \bf{60}
A common misconception is to confuse the units used in the metric system with the units used for time.
The metric system uses base 10 .
Each successive unit is 10 times larger than the previous one.
E.g.
Time uses base 60.
E.g.
Practice converting units of time questions
1. How many hours are there in 2\frac{1}{2} days?
60 hours
48 hours
72 hours
63 hours
2. How many minutes are there in 3.1 hours?
31 minutes
190 minutes
186 minutes
310 minutes
3. Convert 4.35 hours to hours and minutes?
4 hours and 35 minutes
4 hours and 25 minutes
4 hours and 21 minutes
4 hours and 28 minutes
Concentrate on the decimal fraction part
0.35\times 60=21
So, 4.35 hours is 4 hours and 21 minutes.
4. Convert 75 minutes to hours?
0.75 hours
1.5 hours minutes
7.5 hours
1.25 hours
5. Convert 135 minutes to hours and minutes?
13 hours and 5 minutes
1 hours and 35 minutes
2 hours and 25 minutes
2 hours and 15 minutes
So there are 2 hours.
0.25\times 60=15
And there are 15 minutes
6. Convert 4 hours and 18 minutes to hours?
4.3 hours
4.18 hours
4.2 hours
4.81 hours
First look at the minutes
18 \div 60=0.3
So the minutes are 0.3 hours.
Altogether there are 4.3 hours.
Converting units of time GCSE questions
1. How many days are 120 hours?
A B C D
12 \quad \quad \quad 10 \quad \quad \quad 5 \quad \quad \quad 2
Circle the correct answer.
(1 mark)
C – 5 hours
(1)
2. (a) Write 102 minutes as hours
(b) Write 2 hours and 48 minutes as hours.
(4 marks)
(a)
102\div 60
(1)
1.7 hours
(1)
(b)
48\div 60=0.8
(1)
2.8 hours
(1)
3. Work out how many seconds there are in 3 hours.
(2 marks)
(1)
10 \ 800 seconds
(1)
Learning checklist
You have now learned how to:
- Change between standard units of time
The next lessons are
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