← Compare hours first, then minutes · Elapsed Time and Base-Sixty Regrouping

Compare hours first, then minutes · 8 practice problems

2.MD.C.7

Generated variants — 8

Freshly produced from the archetype’s parameters — problem, figure, and solution derived together.

Variant 1 easy answer: Nora arrived at school first (8:15).

The clocks show the times that Mei, Nora, and Omar each arrived at school this morning. Which student arrived at school first?

The three clocks show these times:

  • Mei's clock: 8 ⁣: ⁣308\!:\!30
  • Nora's clock: 8 ⁣: ⁣158\!:\!15
  • Omar's clock: 9 ⁣: ⁣009\!:\!00
12 3 6 9 Mei 12 3 6 9 Nora 12 3 6 9 Omar
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

Students arrived at school at the times shown on their clocks: Mei 8:30, Nora 8:15, Omar 9:00. Find who arrived first (the earliest time).

Givens
  • Mei's clock reads 8:30.
  • Nora's clock reads 8:15.
  • Omar's clock reads 9:00.
  • Each analog clock face shows an hour hand and a minute hand.
Unknowns
  • Which student arrived at school first (earliest clock time).
Constraints
  • All times are in the morning, so compare hours first, then minutes.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#1 Draw a Diagram · also uses: #2 Make a Systematic List

Read each clock face to get the time, then list the times and compare. Compare the hour first; among equal hours, compare the minutes to find the earliest.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Read each clock

#1 Draw a Diagram 2.MD.C.7
From the clock faces: Mei 8:30, Nora 8:15, Omar 9:00.
Mei 8:30, Nora 8:15, Omar 9:00\text{Mei }8{:}30,\ \text{Nora }8{:}15,\ \text{Omar }9{:}00
Reading the hour and minute hands on an analog clock is a core second-grade time skill.

2Compare the hours

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Some students arrived in the 8 o'clock hour while others arrived at 9 o'clock. Since 8 comes before 9, the earliest arrival is among the 8 o'clock students.
8<98 < 9
An earlier hour always means an earlier time, no matter the minutes.

3Compare the minutes within hour 8

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Among the 8 o'clock arrivals, the smallest minute is 15, so Nora arrived first.
15<3015 < 30
When the hour is the same, the smaller minute number is the earlier time.
Answer: Nora arrived at school first (8:15).
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

Ordering the times earliest to latest gives 8:15 (Nora), 8:30 (Mei), 9:00 (Omar). Nora's 8:15 is the smallest, so Nora arriving first is correct.

Another way: Convert each time to minutes after midnight and pick the smallest.

Standardsmin grade 2
  • 2.MD.C.7 Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to nearest five minutes — Reading the clock faces and comparing the times to find the earliest arrival.
💡Takeaway. Compare the hour first, then the minutes if hours tie: that's all Grade 2 clock-reading!
Variant 2 easy answer: Finn arrived at school first (9:05).

The clocks show the times that Dan, Eva, and Finn each arrived at school this morning. Which student arrived at school first?

The three clocks show these times:

  • Dan's clock: 9 ⁣: ⁣109\!:\!10
  • Eva's clock: 9 ⁣: ⁣359\!:\!35
  • Finn's clock: 9 ⁣: ⁣059\!:\!05
12 3 6 9 Dan 12 3 6 9 Eva 12 3 6 9 Finn
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

Students arrived at school at the times shown on their clocks: Dan 9:10, Eva 9:35, Finn 9:05. Find who arrived first (the earliest time).

Givens
  • Dan's clock reads 9:10.
  • Eva's clock reads 9:35.
  • Finn's clock reads 9:05.
  • Each analog clock face shows an hour hand and a minute hand.
Unknowns
  • Which student arrived at school first (earliest clock time).
Constraints
  • All times are in the morning, so compare hours first, then minutes.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#1 Draw a Diagram · also uses: #2 Make a Systematic List

Read each clock face to get the time, then list the times and compare. Compare the hour first; among equal hours, compare the minutes to find the earliest.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Read each clock

#1 Draw a Diagram 2.MD.C.7
From the clock faces: Dan 9:10, Eva 9:35, Finn 9:05.
Dan 9:10, Eva 9:35, Finn 9:05\text{Dan }9{:}10,\ \text{Eva }9{:}35,\ \text{Finn }9{:}05
Reading the hour and minute hands on an analog clock is a core second-grade time skill.

2Compare the hours

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
All students arrived in the 9 o'clock hour, so the hours tie and we must compare the minutes.
9=99 = 9
An earlier hour always means an earlier time, no matter the minutes.

3Compare the minutes within hour 9

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Among the 9 o'clock arrivals, the smallest minute is 5, so Finn arrived first.
5<10<355 < 10 < 35
When the hour is the same, the smaller minute number is the earlier time.
Answer: Finn arrived at school first (9:05).
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

Ordering the times earliest to latest gives 9:05 (Finn), 9:10 (Dan), 9:35 (Eva). Finn's 9:05 is the smallest, so Finn arriving first is correct.

Another way: Convert each time to minutes after midnight and pick the smallest.

Standardsmin grade 2
  • 2.MD.C.7 Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to nearest five minutes — Reading the clock faces and comparing the times to find the earliest arrival.
💡Takeaway. Compare the hour first, then the minutes if hours tie: that's all Grade 2 clock-reading!
Variant 3 medium answer: Paz arrived at school first (7:05).

The clocks show the times that Paz, Quin, and Rio each arrived at school this morning. Which student arrived at school first?

The three clocks show these times:

  • Paz's clock: 7 ⁣: ⁣057\!:\!05
  • Quin's clock: 7 ⁣: ⁣407\!:\!40
  • Rio's clock: 7 ⁣: ⁣207\!:\!20
12 3 6 9 Paz 12 3 6 9 Quin 12 3 6 9 Rio
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

Students arrived at school at the times shown on their clocks: Paz 7:05, Quin 7:40, Rio 7:20. Find who arrived first (the earliest time).

Givens
  • Paz's clock reads 7:05.
  • Quin's clock reads 7:40.
  • Rio's clock reads 7:20.
  • Each analog clock face shows an hour hand and a minute hand.
Unknowns
  • Which student arrived at school first (earliest clock time).
Constraints
  • All times are in the morning, so compare hours first, then minutes.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#1 Draw a Diagram · also uses: #2 Make a Systematic List

Read each clock face to get the time, then list the times and compare. Compare the hour first; among equal hours, compare the minutes to find the earliest.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Read each clock

#1 Draw a Diagram 2.MD.C.7
From the clock faces: Paz 7:05, Quin 7:40, Rio 7:20.
Paz 7:05, Quin 7:40, Rio 7:20\text{Paz }7{:}05,\ \text{Quin }7{:}40,\ \text{Rio }7{:}20
Reading the hour and minute hands on an analog clock is a core second-grade time skill.

2Compare the hours

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
All students arrived in the 7 o'clock hour, so the hours tie and we must compare the minutes.
7=77 = 7
An earlier hour always means an earlier time, no matter the minutes.

3Compare the minutes within hour 7

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Among the 7 o'clock arrivals, the smallest minute is 5, so Paz arrived first.
5<20<405 < 20 < 40
When the hour is the same, the smaller minute number is the earlier time.
Answer: Paz arrived at school first (7:05).
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

Ordering the times earliest to latest gives 7:05 (Paz), 7:20 (Rio), 7:40 (Quin). Paz's 7:05 is the smallest, so Paz arriving first is correct.

Another way: Convert each time to minutes after midnight and pick the smallest.

Standardsmin grade 2
  • 2.MD.C.7 Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to nearest five minutes — Reading the clock faces and comparing the times to find the earliest arrival.
💡Takeaway. Compare the hour first, then the minutes if hours tie: that's all Grade 2 clock-reading!
Variant 4 medium answer: Noah arrived at school first (8:28).

The clocks show the times that Liam, Mia, and Noah each arrived at school this morning. Which student arrived at school first?

The three clocks show these times:

  • Liam's clock: 8 ⁣: ⁣438\!:\!43
  • Mia's clock: 9 ⁣: ⁣009\!:\!00
  • Noah's clock: 8 ⁣: ⁣288\!:\!28
12 3 6 9 Liam 12 3 6 9 Mia 12 3 6 9 Noah
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

Students arrived at school at the times shown on their clocks: Liam 8:43, Mia 9:00, Noah 8:28. Find who arrived first (the earliest time).

Givens
  • Liam's clock reads 8:43.
  • Mia's clock reads 9:00.
  • Noah's clock reads 8:28.
  • Each analog clock face shows an hour hand and a minute hand.
Unknowns
  • Which student arrived at school first (earliest clock time).
Constraints
  • All times are in the morning, so compare hours first, then minutes.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#1 Draw a Diagram · also uses: #2 Make a Systematic List

Read each clock face to get the time, then list the times and compare. Compare the hour first; among equal hours, compare the minutes to find the earliest.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Read each clock

#1 Draw a Diagram 2.MD.C.7
From the clock faces: Liam 8:43, Mia 9:00, Noah 8:28.
Liam 8:43, Mia 9:00, Noah 8:28\text{Liam }8{:}43,\ \text{Mia }9{:}00,\ \text{Noah }8{:}28
Reading the hour and minute hands on an analog clock is a core second-grade time skill.

2Compare the hours

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Some students arrived in the 8 o'clock hour while others arrived at 9 o'clock. Since 8 comes before 9, the earliest arrival is among the 8 o'clock students.
8<98 < 9
An earlier hour always means an earlier time, no matter the minutes.

3Compare the minutes within hour 8

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Among the 8 o'clock arrivals, the smallest minute is 28, so Noah arrived first.
28<4328 < 43
When the hour is the same, the smaller minute number is the earlier time.
Answer: Noah arrived at school first (8:28).
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

Ordering the times earliest to latest gives 8:28 (Noah), 8:43 (Liam), 9:00 (Mia). Noah's 8:28 is the smallest, so Noah arriving first is correct.

Another way: Convert each time to minutes after midnight and pick the smallest.

Standardsmin grade 2
  • 2.MD.C.7 Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to nearest five minutes — Reading the clock faces and comparing the times to find the earliest arrival.
💡Takeaway. Compare the hour first, then the minutes if hours tie: that's all Grade 2 clock-reading!
Variant 5 medium answer: Hana arrived at school first (7:45).

The clocks show the times that Gabe, Hana, and Ivy each arrived at school this morning. Which student arrived at school first?

The three clocks show these times:

  • Gabe's clock: 8 ⁣: ⁣008\!:\!00
  • Hana's clock: 7 ⁣: ⁣457\!:\!45
  • Ivy's clock: 8 ⁣: ⁣208\!:\!20
12 3 6 9 Gabe 12 3 6 9 Hana 12 3 6 9 Ivy
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

Students arrived at school at the times shown on their clocks: Gabe 8:00, Hana 7:45, Ivy 8:20. Find who arrived first (the earliest time).

Givens
  • Gabe's clock reads 8:00.
  • Hana's clock reads 7:45.
  • Ivy's clock reads 8:20.
  • Each analog clock face shows an hour hand and a minute hand.
Unknowns
  • Which student arrived at school first (earliest clock time).
Constraints
  • All times are in the morning, so compare hours first, then minutes.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#1 Draw a Diagram · also uses: #2 Make a Systematic List

Read each clock face to get the time, then list the times and compare. Compare the hour first; among equal hours, compare the minutes to find the earliest.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Read each clock

#1 Draw a Diagram 2.MD.C.7
From the clock faces: Gabe 8:00, Hana 7:45, Ivy 8:20.
Gabe 8:00, Hana 7:45, Ivy 8:20\text{Gabe }8{:}00,\ \text{Hana }7{:}45,\ \text{Ivy }8{:}20
Reading the hour and minute hands on an analog clock is a core second-grade time skill.

2Compare the hours

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Some students arrived in the 7 o'clock hour while others arrived at 8 o'clock. Since 7 comes before 8, the earliest arrival is among the 7 o'clock students.
7<87 < 8
An earlier hour always means an earlier time, no matter the minutes.

3Compare the minutes within hour 7

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Only Hana arrived in the 7 o'clock hour, so Hana arrived first.
7:457{:}45
When the hour is the same, the smaller minute number is the earlier time.
Answer: Hana arrived at school first (7:45).
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

Ordering the times earliest to latest gives 7:45 (Hana), 8:00 (Gabe), 8:20 (Ivy). Hana's 7:45 is the smallest, so Hana arriving first is correct.

Another way: Convert each time to minutes after midnight and pick the smallest.

Standardsmin grade 2
  • 2.MD.C.7 Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to nearest five minutes — Reading the clock faces and comparing the times to find the earliest arrival.
💡Takeaway. Compare the hour first, then the minutes if hours tie: that's all Grade 2 clock-reading!
Variant 6 hard answer: Sam arrived at school first (9:45).

The clocks show the times that Sam, Tara, and Uma each arrived at school this morning. Which student arrived at school first?

The three clocks show these times:

  • Sam's clock: 9 ⁣: ⁣459\!:\!45
  • Tara's clock: 10 ⁣: ⁣0010\!:\!00
  • Uma's clock: 9 ⁣: ⁣509\!:\!50
12 3 6 9 Sam 12 3 6 9 Tara 12 3 6 9 Uma
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

Students arrived at school at the times shown on their clocks: Sam 9:45, Tara 10:00, Uma 9:50. Find who arrived first (the earliest time).

Givens
  • Sam's clock reads 9:45.
  • Tara's clock reads 10:00.
  • Uma's clock reads 9:50.
  • Each analog clock face shows an hour hand and a minute hand.
Unknowns
  • Which student arrived at school first (earliest clock time).
Constraints
  • All times are in the morning, so compare hours first, then minutes.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#1 Draw a Diagram · also uses: #2 Make a Systematic List

Read each clock face to get the time, then list the times and compare. Compare the hour first; among equal hours, compare the minutes to find the earliest.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Read each clock

#1 Draw a Diagram 2.MD.C.7
From the clock faces: Sam 9:45, Tara 10:00, Uma 9:50.
Sam 9:45, Tara 10:00, Uma 9:50\text{Sam }9{:}45,\ \text{Tara }10{:}00,\ \text{Uma }9{:}50
Reading the hour and minute hands on an analog clock is a core second-grade time skill.

2Compare the hours

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Some students arrived in the 9 o'clock hour while others arrived at 10 o'clock. Since 9 comes before 10, the earliest arrival is among the 9 o'clock students.
9<109 < 10
An earlier hour always means an earlier time, no matter the minutes.

3Compare the minutes within hour 9

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Among the 9 o'clock arrivals, the smallest minute is 45, so Sam arrived first.
45<5045 < 50
When the hour is the same, the smaller minute number is the earlier time.
Answer: Sam arrived at school first (9:45).
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

Ordering the times earliest to latest gives 9:45 (Sam), 9:50 (Uma), 10:00 (Tara). Sam's 9:45 is the smallest, so Sam arriving first is correct.

Another way: Convert each time to minutes after midnight and pick the smallest.

Standardsmin grade 2
  • 2.MD.C.7 Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to nearest five minutes — Reading the clock faces and comparing the times to find the earliest arrival.
💡Takeaway. Compare the hour first, then the minutes if hours tie: that's all Grade 2 clock-reading!
Variant 7 medium answer: Ava arrived at school first (7:15).

The clocks show the times that Ava, Ben, and Cara each arrived at school this morning. Which student arrived at school first?

The three clocks show these times:

  • Ava's clock: 7 ⁣: ⁣157\!:\!15
  • Ben's clock: 7 ⁣: ⁣507\!:\!50
  • Cara's clock: 8 ⁣: ⁣058\!:\!05
12 3 6 9 Ava 12 3 6 9 Ben 12 3 6 9 Cara
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

Students arrived at school at the times shown on their clocks: Ava 7:15, Ben 7:50, Cara 8:05. Find who arrived first (the earliest time).

Givens
  • Ava's clock reads 7:15.
  • Ben's clock reads 7:50.
  • Cara's clock reads 8:05.
  • Each analog clock face shows an hour hand and a minute hand.
Unknowns
  • Which student arrived at school first (earliest clock time).
Constraints
  • All times are in the morning, so compare hours first, then minutes.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#1 Draw a Diagram · also uses: #2 Make a Systematic List

Read each clock face to get the time, then list the times and compare. Compare the hour first; among equal hours, compare the minutes to find the earliest.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Read each clock

#1 Draw a Diagram 2.MD.C.7
From the clock faces: Ava 7:15, Ben 7:50, Cara 8:05.
Ava 7:15, Ben 7:50, Cara 8:05\text{Ava }7{:}15,\ \text{Ben }7{:}50,\ \text{Cara }8{:}05
Reading the hour and minute hands on an analog clock is a core second-grade time skill.

2Compare the hours

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Some students arrived in the 7 o'clock hour while others arrived at 8 o'clock. Since 7 comes before 8, the earliest arrival is among the 7 o'clock students.
7<87 < 8
An earlier hour always means an earlier time, no matter the minutes.

3Compare the minutes within hour 7

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Among the 7 o'clock arrivals, the smallest minute is 15, so Ava arrived first.
15<5015 < 50
When the hour is the same, the smaller minute number is the earlier time.
Answer: Ava arrived at school first (7:15).
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

Ordering the times earliest to latest gives 7:15 (Ava), 7:50 (Ben), 8:05 (Cara). Ava's 7:15 is the smallest, so Ava arriving first is correct.

Another way: Convert each time to minutes after midnight and pick the smallest.

Standardsmin grade 2
  • 2.MD.C.7 Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to nearest five minutes — Reading the clock faces and comparing the times to find the earliest arrival.
💡Takeaway. Compare the hour first, then the minutes if hours tie: that's all Grade 2 clock-reading!
Variant 8 hard answer: Kim arrived at school first (9:55).

The clocks show the times that Jay, Kim, and Leo each arrived at school this morning. Which student arrived at school first?

The three clocks show these times:

  • Jay's clock: 10 ⁣: ⁣2510\!:\!25
  • Kim's clock: 9 ⁣: ⁣559\!:\!55
  • Leo's clock: 10 ⁣: ⁣1010\!:\!10
12 3 6 9 Jay 12 3 6 9 Kim 12 3 6 9 Leo
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

Students arrived at school at the times shown on their clocks: Jay 10:25, Kim 9:55, Leo 10:10. Find who arrived first (the earliest time).

Givens
  • Jay's clock reads 10:25.
  • Kim's clock reads 9:55.
  • Leo's clock reads 10:10.
  • Each analog clock face shows an hour hand and a minute hand.
Unknowns
  • Which student arrived at school first (earliest clock time).
Constraints
  • All times are in the morning, so compare hours first, then minutes.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#1 Draw a Diagram · also uses: #2 Make a Systematic List

Read each clock face to get the time, then list the times and compare. Compare the hour first; among equal hours, compare the minutes to find the earliest.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Read each clock

#1 Draw a Diagram 2.MD.C.7
From the clock faces: Jay 10:25, Kim 9:55, Leo 10:10.
Jay 10:25, Kim 9:55, Leo 10:10\text{Jay }10{:}25,\ \text{Kim }9{:}55,\ \text{Leo }10{:}10
Reading the hour and minute hands on an analog clock is a core second-grade time skill.

2Compare the hours

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Some students arrived in the 9 o'clock hour while others arrived at 10 o'clock. Since 9 comes before 10, the earliest arrival is among the 9 o'clock students.
9<109 < 10
An earlier hour always means an earlier time, no matter the minutes.

3Compare the minutes within hour 9

#2 Make a Systematic List 2.MD.C.7
Only Kim arrived in the 9 o'clock hour, so Kim arrived first.
9:559{:}55
When the hour is the same, the smaller minute number is the earlier time.
Answer: Kim arrived at school first (9:55).
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

Ordering the times earliest to latest gives 9:55 (Kim), 10:10 (Leo), 10:25 (Jay). Kim's 9:55 is the smallest, so Kim arriving first is correct.

Another way: Convert each time to minutes after midnight and pick the smallest.

Standardsmin grade 2
  • 2.MD.C.7 Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to nearest five minutes — Reading the clock faces and comparing the times to find the earliest arrival.
💡Takeaway. Compare the hour first, then the minutes if hours tie: that's all Grade 2 clock-reading!