Gustavo's Painting Class Started At 17:30 And Ended At 18:15. How Many Seconds Did The Class Last?

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In this article, we'll break down a simple yet engaging math problem: calculating the duration of Gustavo's painting class in seconds. This is a fundamental skill that combines time conversion and basic arithmetic, crucial for everyday problem-solving. Whether you're a student, a teacher, or just someone who enjoys puzzles, this step-by-step guide will help you master the technique. We will explore how to convert time from hours and minutes into seconds, providing a clear and understandable approach. This skill is not only essential for academic purposes but also for real-life scenarios where accurate time calculations are necessary. So, let’s dive in and learn how to solve this time-related puzzle efficiently and accurately.

Understanding the Problem

The problem states that Gustavo started his painting class at 17:30 (5:30 PM) and finished at 18:15 (6:15 PM). To find out how many seconds the class lasted, we need to first determine the duration in hours and minutes, and then convert that time into seconds. This involves a series of steps that include subtracting the start time from the end time and then converting the result into the desired unit of measurement, which in this case, is seconds. Understanding the problem clearly is the first step towards finding an accurate solution. It’s important to identify the key information provided, which includes the start and end times, and the desired output, which is the duration in seconds. By breaking down the problem into smaller, manageable parts, we can approach the calculation more systematically and avoid common errors.

Step 1: Calculate the Duration in Minutes

To begin, we need to find the difference between the start and end times. Gustavo finished his class at 18:15 and started at 17:30. We can calculate the duration as follows:

  1. Subtract the starting time from the ending time:

    • Minutes: 15 - 30. Since 15 is less than 30, we need to borrow an hour from the hours.
    • Hours: 18 - 17. After borrowing, it becomes 17 - 17.

  2. Borrow 60 minutes from the hour:

    • We borrow 1 hour (60 minutes) from the 18 hours, so it becomes 17 hours. Add these 60 minutes to the 15 minutes, resulting in 75 minutes.
    • Now we have 75 minutes at the end time.

  3. Perform the subtraction:

    • Minutes: 75 - 30 = 45 minutes
    • Hours: 17 - 17 = 0 hours

So, the class lasted 0 hours and 45 minutes. This initial calculation is crucial as it forms the basis for converting the time into seconds. Ensuring accuracy at this stage will prevent errors in the final answer. By breaking down the time into hours and minutes, we make the conversion process more straightforward and less prone to mistakes. This step highlights the importance of understanding basic arithmetic operations and their application in time-related calculations.

Step 2: Convert Minutes to Seconds

Now that we know the class lasted 45 minutes, we need to convert this time into seconds. To do this, we use the conversion factor: 1 minute = 60 seconds.

  1. Multiply the number of minutes by 60:
    • 45 minutes * 60 seconds/minute = 2700 seconds

Therefore, Gustavo’s painting class lasted 2700 seconds. This conversion is a straightforward multiplication, but it’s essential to understand the underlying principle of unit conversion. By multiplying the number of minutes by the number of seconds in a minute, we effectively change the unit of measurement from minutes to seconds. This step demonstrates the practical application of basic multiplication in everyday time calculations. It’s also a good example of how understanding unit conversions can simplify complex problems and lead to accurate solutions. The result of this step provides the final answer to the problem, expressed in the desired unit of seconds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Gustavo’s painting class lasted 2700 seconds. We arrived at this answer by first calculating the duration of the class in minutes and then converting those minutes into seconds. This problem demonstrates a simple yet important application of time conversion and basic arithmetic skills. Understanding how to convert time between different units is a valuable skill that can be applied in various real-life situations, from scheduling activities to solving more complex mathematical problems. By breaking down the problem into smaller, manageable steps, we were able to solve it efficiently and accurately. The process involved understanding the initial problem, calculating the duration in minutes, and then converting those minutes into seconds. Each step is crucial for arriving at the correct answer. This example underscores the importance of mastering fundamental mathematical concepts and their practical applications.

This step-by-step solution not only answers the question but also provides a clear methodology for solving similar problems. Whether you are a student learning about time conversions or someone looking to brush up on your math skills, this guide offers a comprehensive approach to calculating time durations in seconds. The ability to perform such calculations accurately is a valuable asset in both academic and everyday contexts. By understanding the principles and steps involved, you can confidently tackle similar time-related problems and improve your overall mathematical proficiency.