Candle time

Candle time

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This task is about measuring time.

Taine has a candle. He lights the candle at 2 p.m. in the afternoon.

The candle burns down one stripe each hour.

a)
Next to each line, write in the time it will be when the candle has burnt down to that line. The time that Taine lights the candle has been put in for you.
 
b) If Taine blows the candle out after 1⁄2 an hour, what time will it be?
 
 
__________ p.m.
 
c)
If Taine lets the candle burn down to nothing what time will it be?
 
__________ p.m.
 
d) How many hours will it take for the candle to burn down to nothing?
 
__________ hours
Level:
2
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Geometry and Measurement, Measurement
Keywords: 
time, hours, non standard units, units of measurement
Description of task: 
Students work out the time based on how much a candle burns down.
Curriculum Links: 
This resource can help to identify students' understanding of measurement of time using non standard and standard units for the Measurement National Standard.
Answers/responses: 
  

Y4 (09/2001)

a)

Correct times listed.

easy

b)

2:30

moderate

c)

9
(or answer corresponding to times given in a))

moderate

d)

7

very difficult
Diagnostic and formative information: 
 

Common error

Likely miscalculation

b)

2 1/2

Does not record 1/2 an hour as 30 minutes.

c)

10

Adds another hour to the last time listed.

d)

9 
8

Records time it will be when candle burns to nothing, not time it takes to burn to nothing.
Counts number of hours listed, not the difference between the earliest and latest times.