Need to quickly figure out what time it was 20 minutes ago? Knowing how to calculate time differences is a useful little skill to have. Here’s a quick guide.
How to calculate what time it was 20 minutes ago
The basic principle is simple: subtraction. To figure out what time it was 20 minutes ago, you subtract 20 minutes from the current time.
The calculation can get tricky, though. You have to think about whether you’re crossing into the previous hour, and whether that means you’re also crossing between AM and PM, or even into the previous day.
For instance, if the current time is 3:10 PM, then 20 minutes ago it was 2:50 PM.
How to calculate the time
Here’s a simple method to calculate what time it was 20 minutes ago:
- Take the current number of minutes and subtract 20.
- If that number is negative, add 60 minutes and subtract one hour. For example, if it’s 1:10 AM, 10 – 20 = -10. -10 + 60 = 50 minutes, and 1 – 1 = 0 hours.
- If the hour becomes 0, you may need to adjust it to 12 AM or PM. If the hour is negative, subtract one day and add 12 hours to convert to PM time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time after 20 minutes from now?
To figure out the time 20 minutes from now, you simply add 20 minutes to the current time. For example, if it’s currently 3:15 PM, then 20 minutes from now it will be 3:35 PM. Just be sure to account for AM/PM if you’re close to noon or midnight!
How long is 20 minutes?
20 minutes is, well, 20 minutes! It’s a third of an hour, or 20/60ths of an hour, if you want to get technical. That’s 1200 seconds. It’s long enough to watch a quick TV show, listen to a few songs, or get a decent start on a chore. But it’s also short enough that it flies by when you’re having fun!
What is the time 20 minutes past 5?
20 minutes past 5 depends on whether you mean AM or PM. 20 minutes past 5 AM would be 5:20 AM. Similarly, 20 minutes past 5 PM would be 5:20 PM. It’s all about adding those 20 minutes to the hour of 5!
Summary
Working out what time it was 20 minutes ago is as simple as subtracting 20 minutes from the current time. The only thing to remember is how hours and minutes work.