Question

Convert the following traditional times to military (international) times. \(12: 05 \mathrm{AM}=\)

Short answer

00:05

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Hour and Minutes

The given time is \(12:05 \text{ AM}\). Here, the hour is 12 and the minutes are 05.

Determine AM or PM Conversion Rule

Since the time given is AM, and specifically 12:05 AM, we recognize that 12 AM in traditional time is the start of a new day in military time.

Convert the Hour to Military Time

In military time, 12:00 AM is represented as 00:00 hours. Thus, any time that occurs between midnight and 12:59 AM is shifted to the 00 hours range.

Combine Hour and Minutes in Military Time

For 12:05 AM, we replace 12 with 00, keeping the minutes the same. Thus, 12:05 AM in military time is 00:05.

Key concepts

Traditional Time

Traditional time is a system of telling time based on a 12-hour clock format. It divides the day into two periods: AM (Ante Meridiem) and PM (Post Meridiem). AM covers the hours from midnight to noon, while PM covers the hours from noon to midnight. This format is widely used in countries like the United States and Canada.
For example, when the clock shows 7:45 AM, it indicates 45 minutes past 7 in the morning. Alternatively, 8:30 PM means it is 30 minutes past 8 in the evening. Understanding these markers is crucial as they help us distinguish similar times of day, such as 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM in traditional time.

12-Hour Clock

The 12-hour clock is an ancient time format that divides a day into two sets of 12 hours. Each cycle consists of 12 numbered hours from 1 to 12. The clock resets twice a day: at noon and midnight.
In the context of this system:

• AM (Ante Meridiem): Runs from 12:00 midnight to 11:59 before noon.
• PM (Post Meridiem): Runs from 12:00 noon to 11:59 in the evening.

This clock format only uses numbers from 1 to 12, requiring the AM or PM suffix to clarify if the time is in the morning or the evening. Most analog clocks and many digital watches use this 12-hour format due to its simplicity and traditional use.

24-Hour Clock

The 24-hour clock, also known as military or international time, does not require AM or PM distinctions. It counts the hours continuously from 00 to 23, starting at midnight:

• 00:00 hours marks the start of a new day, equivalent to 12:00 AM in traditional time.
• 12:00 hours is noon, corresponding to 12:00 PM.
• 23:59 hours refers to one minute before midnight, 11:59 PM in the traditional clock format.

This system is preferred in many settings where precision and clarity are important, as it eliminates ambiguity concerning the time of day. Digital devices, timetables, and schedules frequently use this efficient system.

Time Conversion Rules

Converting between the 12-hour and 24-hour clock systems may seem tricky, but simple rules ease this process. To convert from traditional to military time:

• For midnight to 12:59 AM, use the hour 00, e.g., 12:15 AM becomes 00:15.
• For 1:00 AM to 11:59 AM, keep the hour the same, e.g., 7:30 AM stays 07:30.
• For 12:00 PM to 12:59 PM, replace 12 with 12, maintaining the hour, e.g., 12:45 PM remains 12:45.
• For 1:00 PM to 11:59 PM, add 12 to the hour, e.g., 3:00 PM becomes 15:00.

Reversing this process when needed ensures accurate time representation. By following these straightforward conversion rules, you can confidently navigate between these two systems without confusion.