Subtract Time Game

This Subtract Time Game/Worksheet is a great way to put your skills to the test in a fun environment. Subtracting time is tricky because you aren’t borrowing a “ten”—you are borrowing a sixty. By practicing, you’ll start to work out the answers efficiently.

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Subtract Time Game
This Subtract Time Game is a math challenge where you need to subtract intervals of time correctly. Scroll down for a detailed explanation.

How to Play the Subtract Time Game

Check the Seconds/Minutes
Look at your small unit column. If the bottom number is bigger than the top, you can’t subtract yet.
Example: 15 min - 40 min. You need to borrow.
Take 1, Give 60
When you borrow from the hours (or minutes):
Reduce the large unit by 1.
Add 60 to your small unit.

Example: If you had 4 hr 15 min, it becomes 3 hr 75 min (15 + 60 = 75).

Subtract Normally
Now that your top number is big enough, subtract the small units, then subtract the large units.

Example:
Problem: 5 hr 10 min - 2 hr 45 min
The Check: You can’t take 45 from 10.
The Borrow: Take 1 hr away (5 becomes 4). Add 60 min to the top (10 becomes 70).
The Subtract:
Minutes: 70 - 45 = 25 min
Hours: 4 - 2 = 2 hr
Final Answer: 2 hr 25 min.

This video gives a clear, step-by-step approach on understanding how to add and subtract time.

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