Time Word Problem Game

Time Word Problem Quiz/Game
This game focuses on solving word problems involving time, covering basic operations, conversions, and multi-step scenarios. Scroll down the page for a more detailed explanation.

 

 

How to Play the Time Trek Game

1. Look at the Problem: Read the problem carefully. Solve it and select one of the answers.
   
2. Check Your Work: If you selected the right answer, it will be highlighted in green. If you are wrong, it will be highlighted in red and the correct answer will be highlighted in green. A hint will be given to help you find the correct answer.
   
3. Get a New Problem: Click “Next Problem” for a new problem.
   Your score is tracked, showing how many you’ve gotten right.
   
4. Finish Game When you have completed 10 questions, your final score will be displayed.
    
   

How to solve Time Word Problems
Time word problems usually fall into three categories:

1. Finding Elapsed Time: How much time has passed?
   
2. Finding the End Time: What time will it be when the event is over?
   
3. Finding the Start Time: What time did the event begin?
    
   

The Golden Rules

• 60 is the Magic Number: Remember that 60 minutes = 1 hour. When you add minutes and reach 60, convert it to 1 hour. When subtracting, if you “borrow,” you borrow 60 minutes, not 10.
  
• Watch the AM/PM Flip: Crossing 12:00 (noon or midnight) changes the period.
  
• Military Time Shortcut: For complex problems, converting to a 24-hour clock (e.g., 2:00 PM becomes 14:00) can simplify the math.
   
  

Strategy: The “Mountains, Hills, and Stones” Method
This is a visual way to track jumps on a number line:
Mountains: 1-hour jumps
Hills: 5, 10, or 15-minute jumps
Stones: 1-minute jumps

Example: Finding Elapsed Time
Problem: A movie starts at 3:45 PM and ends at 6:12 PM. How long was the movie?
Start at 3:45 PM.
Jump 1 hour (Mountain): 4:45 PM.
Jump 1 hour (Mountain): 5:45 PM. (Total: 2 hours)
Jump to the next hour (Hill): 15 minutes to get to 6:00 PM.
Jump the remaining minutes (Stones): 12 minutes to get to 6:12 PM.
Add it up: 2 hours + 15 min + 12 min = 2 hours and 27 minutes.

Strategy: The T-Chart (Addition/Subtraction)
Use this if you prefer a vertical, structured approach.

Common Pitfalls
The “Base 10” Trap:
Students often calculate 2:50 + 20 minutes as 2:70. Always subtract 60 from the minutes and add 1 to the hours: 2:70 → 3:10.

Regrouping Errors:
Subtracting 4:15 - 0:45:
You can’t do 15 - 45.
Change 4:15 to 3:75 (3 hours and 15+60 minutes).
3:75 - 0:45 = 3:30.
 

This video gives a clear, step-by-step approach to explain how to solve time word problems.

• Show Video

 

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