Question

Convert the following military (international) times to traditional times (AM/PM). \(1345=\)

Short answer

1:45 PM

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Military Time System

Military time or international time operates on a 24-hour clock format. Each hour of the day is represented by two digits, with hours 00 through 23. Understanding this, we can convert it to the 12-hour traditional format.

Identify The Components of Military Time

In this case, the number given is 1345. The first two digits represent the hour (13), and the last two digits represent the minutes (45).

Determine if Time is AM or PM

In military time, any hour from 00 to 11 is AM, while 12 and above is PM. Since 13 is greater than 12, this means the time is in the PM.

Convert the Hour to 12-Hour Format

Since the military hour is 13, to convert it to traditional PM time, subtract 12 from it: \[ 13 - 12 = 1 \].Thus, 13 military time converts to 1 in traditional 12-hour time.

Construct the Traditional Time

Using the converted hour from Step 4 along with the minutes identifier of 45, the traditional time is 1:45 PM.

Key concepts

Military Time

Military time is a convenient system used primarily in military, aviation, and medical settings because it reduces confusion between AM and PM hours. In this system, the day is divided into 24 hours running from 00 to 23. Each hour is exactly the same length, whether it occurs at dawn or dusk.
This time format eliminates the need for knowing whether an hour is AM or PM since each hour is numbered uniquely:

• Midnight is represented as 0000 hours.
• Midday, or noon, is represented as 1200 hours.

By understanding military time, one can easily perform time conversions, which is especially useful if you're dealing with international travel or scheduled events in a global context.

12-hour Format

The 12-hour clock is the time notation that divides the 24-hour day into two periods: 'AM' and 'PM'. Each period consists of 12 hours. This format is commonly used in everyday life and is perfect for casual settings or local time-telling.
Here's how it works:

• 'AM' stands for Ante Meridiem, meaning before noon, and is used from 12:00 midnight to 11:59 in the morning.
• 'PM' stands for Post Meridiem, meaning after noon, and is used from 12:00 noon to 11:59 in the evening.

This system is familiar but can sometimes be confusing, especially when differentiating between morning and afternoon, which is why other systems, like military time, have been developed to reduce potential errors.

24-hour Clock

The 24-hour clock is an alternative way to express time, mainly used in international contexts to avoid confusion with the 12-hour AM/PM notation. In this system, the hours count from 00 to 23. For example, 1 PM becomes 13:00 on a 24-hour clock.
Key points to remember:

• Midnight starts the day, represented as 00:00 or 24:00.
• Hours past noon simply add to 12, so 1 PM becomes 13:00, 2 PM becomes 14:00, and so forth.

Using the 24-hour clock is helpful in environments needing clarity and precision, especially when managing logistics or scheduling.

AM PM Conversion

Converting time between military time and the 12-hour format involves a few straightforward steps. This process ensures you can switch between time formats with ease, perfect for travel or cross-timezone coordination.
How to make the conversion:

• If the hour is greater than or equal to 13 in military time, subtract 12 to convert it to PM in the 12-hour format. For example, 13:00 becomes 1:00 PM.
• If the hour is less than 12, it remains in AM – such as 08:00 becomes 8:00 AM.
• If the hour is exactly 00 in military time, it converts to 12:00 AM (midnight) in the traditional format.
• When the hour is 12 in military time, it directly translates to 12:00 PM (noon).

Getting comfortable with these conversions can simplify any task involving multiple time zones or scheduling across different cultures.