Worked Example 1
How Long?
Soccer practice is from 3:20 p.m. to 4:05 p.m. How long is practice?
- 1Count up from 3:20 to 4:00: 40 minutes.
- 2Count up from 4:00 to 4:05: 5 minutes.
- 340 + 5 = 45
Answer: 45 minutes
Florida Grade 3 Math · Measurement
MA.3.M.2.2: Elapsed Time
What this Grade 3 benchmark means, worked examples, common mistakes, and a free printable worksheet.
Created by a Florida mom · Published by Tropical Learning LLC
What Is Benchmark MA.3.M.2.2?
Students solve one-step and two-step real-world problems about elapsed time: how long something takes, when it starts, or when it ends.
In Grade 3, problems stay in the a.m. or stay in the p.m.; they do not cross noon or midnight. Counting up on a number line by hours and minutes works well.
Official benchmarkSolve one- and two-step real-world problems involving elapsed time.
On the FAST test: part of the Grade 3 reporting category Geometric Reasoning, Measurement, and Data Analysis and Probability, which is about 23–29% of the test.
Worked Examples
Worked Example 2
Finding the Start Time
A movie ends at 9:10 p.m. It lasted 1 hour 35 minutes. When did it start?
- 1Count back 1 hour from 9:10: 8:10.
- 2Count back 35 minutes: 8:10 back 10 minutes is 8:00, then back 25 more is 7:35.
Answer: 7:35 p.m.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
Subtracting times like regular numbers
Wrong:4:05 − 3:20 = 0:85
An hour has 60 minutes, not 100. Count up instead: 3:20 to 4:00 is 40 minutes, plus 5 more is 45 minutes.
Writing more than 59 minutes
Wrong:2:50 p.m. + 25 minutes = 2:75 p.m.
10 minutes gets to 3:00, and 15 more is 3:15 p.m.
Helpful Math Tip
Draw a time number line with the hours marked. Jump to the next hour first, then add the remaining minutes.
Related Grade 3 Skills
Make Florida Math Practice More Fun
Help your child build math confidence with original interactive questions aligned with Florida's B.E.S.T. Mathematics Standards.
Start Practicing FreeIndependent Educational Platform. FastChomp is published by Tropical Learning LLC and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Florida Department of Education. FAST and Star assessment names are referenced for informational purposes only. FastChomp practice questions are original educational materials, not official Florida FAST assessment questions.