Palindromic Times

A 24-hour digital clock shows the time using four digits: two for the hour and two for the minutes.
For example, 09:45 or 17:32.

Palindromic Time

Some times read the same forwards and backwards, like a palindrome.
For example, 12:21 reads the same forwards and backwards.

How many palindromic times are there in a 24-hour day?

ClockEquate

Can you use the digits on the left of this clock along with any mathematical operations to equal the digits on the right (also with any mathematical operations)?

Examples

Examples

Which times is this possible and which times impossible?

Alternate activity

Use the digits of the current time to make as many different calculations as possible all with different answers.

All four digits must be used and each must appear once only in each of your calculations.

Next choose a different time that you think will produce more calculations than the present time.

A Mathematics Lesson Starter Of The Day

Starter of The Day Transum Mathematics Topics


Topics: Starter | Arithmetic | Mixed | Number | Problem Solving | Puzzles

  • Transum,
  •  
  • To get the most out of the ClockEquate challenge as a lesson starter, encourage students to go beyond the current time and explore the broader question: "At which times is this possible, and at which times is it not?" Asking "How many possible times can you find?" may prompt a straightforward list of similar operations, which can be appropriate for some learners. Alternatively, dividing the class into small groups and assigning each group a specific hour of the day can promote deeper thinking and a wider range of approaches. I would love to hear about any interesting findings your class may uncover. 🟰
  • Transum,
  • Monday, June 16, 2025
  • Explore a curated collection of mathematical palindromes, including investigations, number patterns, and phrases with mathematical relevance. The Number Palindromes page can be used to spark curiosity, introduce the concept of symmetry, or serve as an engaging starter activity. ↔️

How did you use this starter? Can you suggest how teachers could present or develop this resource? Do you have any comments? It is always useful to receive feedback and helps make this free resource even more useful for Maths teachers anywhere in the world.
Click here to enter your comments.

Previous Day | This starter is for 14 June | Next Day

 


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Laptops In Lessons

Teacher, do your students have access to computers such as tablets, iPads or Laptops?  This page was really designed for projection on a whiteboard but if you really want the students to have access to it here is a concise URL for a version of this page without the comments:

Transum.org/go/?Start=June14

However it would be better to assign one of the student interactive activities below.

Laptops In Lessons

Here is the URL which will take them to a related student activity.

Transum.org/go/?to=fifteen

Student Activity

 

The digital clock used on this page is adapted from code provided by Radoslav Dimov copyright © 2009.

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