Math · Grades 3–4 · about 25 minutes
Game Clock: elapsed time at the ballpark and rink
Students solve elapsed-time problems about game start times, game length and how sports divide the game clock.
Students will: Add and subtract time intervals in minutes; Find start and end times; Multiply to find total game-clock time.
Common Core: 3.MD.A.1, 4.MD.A.2
Free to print and share with your class. Includes an answer key.
Game Clock: elapsed time at the ballpark and rink
Name: ______________________Games have schedules too! Use what you know about clocks to answer each question.
| Sport | Parts of the game | Minutes in each part |
|---|---|---|
| Hockey (NHL) | 3 periods | 20 |
| Basketball (NBA) | 4 quarters | 12 |
| Football (NFL) | 4 quarters | 15 |
These are game-clock minutes. Real games take longer because the clock stops.
- A hockey game starts at 7:00 p.m. and lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. What time does it end?
- A baseball game starts at 1:10 p.m. and lasts 2 hours 40 minutes. What time does it end?
- Gates open 90 minutes before a 7:30 p.m. game. What time do the gates open?
- It takes 45 minutes to drive to the arena. You want to arrive at 6:15 p.m. What time should you leave?
- How many game-clock minutes are in an NHL hockey game?
- How many game-clock minutes are in an NBA basketball game?
- How many more game-clock minutes does an NFL game have than an NBA game?
Extension: Look up the start time of your favourite team's next game. If the game lasts 3 hours, what time will it end?
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🔑 Answer key (for teachers)
- A hockey game starts at 7:00 p.m. and lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. What time does it end?
9:30 p.m. - A baseball game starts at 1:10 p.m. and lasts 2 hours 40 minutes. What time does it end?
3:50 p.m. - Gates open 90 minutes before a 7:30 p.m. game. What time do the gates open?
6:00 p.m. - It takes 45 minutes to drive to the arena. You want to arrive at 6:15 p.m. What time should you leave?
5:30 p.m. - How many game-clock minutes are in an NHL hockey game?
3 × 20 = 60 minutes - How many game-clock minutes are in an NBA basketball game?
4 × 12 = 48 minutes - How many more game-clock minutes does an NFL game have than an NBA game?
NFL: 4 × 15 = 60 minutes; 60 − 48 = 12 minutes
Teacher notes
- Period and quarter lengths are each league's regulation game clock.
- Use a demonstration clock for the first two questions.