A solar eclipse started at \( 2: 39 \mathrm{p} . \mathrm{m} \). and lasted 360 seconds. Mr. Bennet only saw the last half of the eclipse. What time did he first see the eclipse?

Mr. Bennet first saw the eclipse halfway through its duration. Since the eclipse lasted for 360 seconds (which is 6 minutes), the entire eclipse would end at \( 2: 45 \mathrm{p} . \mathrm{m} \). To find out when he first saw it, we subtract the last 3 minutes (or 180 seconds) from the time the eclipse ended. Therefore, he first saw the eclipse at \( 2: 42 \mathrm{p} . \mathrm{m} \). So, Mr. Bennet first saw the eclipse at 2:42 p.m.!