A 24-hour clock shows the time as 17:45. What will be the time on a 12-hour clock?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: 5:45 PM
To convert time from a 24-hour clock to a 12-hour clock, you must understand the basic difference between the two systems. A 24-hour clock counts from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59 (one minute before the next midnight). In contrast, a 12-hour clock counts from 12:00 AM to 11:59 AM for the morning period, then from 12:00 PM to 11:59 PM for the afternoon and evening period.
The given time is 17:45 in a 24-hour format. To convert it:
- First, check if the hour is greater than 12. If it is, subtract 12 from the hour to convert it to a 12-hour format.
- In this case, 17 is greater than 12. So, 17 − 12 = 5.
- The minutes remain unchanged, so it is 5:45.
- Since the original time is after 12:00 noon (17:45 is in the evening), the appropriate suffix is PM.
Therefore, 17:45 in a 24-hour format equals 5:45 PM in a 12-hour format.
This conversion is important in daily life, especially when interpreting schedules such as airline departures, train timetables, digital clocks, or official appointments. Understanding this difference helps avoid confusion, particularly in countries or professions that interchangeably use both formats. For instance, military operations, aviation, and healthcare commonly rely on the 24-hour format to avoid ambiguity, while many public and social events use the 12-hour format for readability. Recognizing the time and appropriately applying the AM or PM designation ensures clarity in communication and scheduling.