When the long hand points down to 6, it has gone half way around the clock. That is half past the hour, or 30 minutes past.
At half past, the short hand sits half way between two numbers. Use the number it has just passed. Half past 4 is written 4:30.
Worked example
The long hand points to 6. The short hand is between 9 and 10. What time is it?
- Long hand on 6 means half past.
- The short hand has passed 9.
Answer:half past 9 (9:30)
Key words
- half past
- 30 minutes after the hour
- minute
- a short unit of time; 60 make an hour
- clock face
- the front of a clock with the numbers
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: 1.MD.B.3