Direction Sense aptitude questions
Direction Sense questions are part of the Reasoning section of placement aptitude tests. Put the starting point on a coordinate grid and update one move at a time. Below are 5 worked examples with the answer and the working; practise ten fresh ones or take a timed mock when you are ready.
Example 1. A man walks 5 km towards North, then 5 km towards East, then 2 km towards East, then 9 km towards West, then 2 km towards North. What is the total distance he walked?
- A. 12 km
- B. 21 km
- C. 23 km (answer)
- D. 26 km
Adding every step: 5 + 5 + 2 + 9 + 2 = 23 km.
Example 2. A man starts from point P and walks 4 km towards East, then 7 km towards South, then 7 km towards West. In which direction is he from P?
- A. North
- B. East (answer)
- C. South
- D. West
The sideways steps cancel out, so the net movement is towards East.
Example 3. A man starts from point P and walks 5 km towards North, then 7 km towards South, then 5 km towards West. How far is he from P?
- A. 17 km
- B. 5 km
- C. 9 km
- D. 7 km (answer)
The sideways steps cancel out, leaving only the 7 km towards South, so he is 7 km from P.
Example 4. A man starts from point P and walks 6 km towards East, then 12 km towards North, then 8 km towards South, then 8 km towards East, then 6 km towards South. How far is he from P?
- A. 10 km
- B. 12 km (answer)
- C. 14 km
- D. 40 km
The sideways steps cancel out, leaving only the 12 km towards North, so he is 12 km from P.
Example 5. A man starts from point P and walks 7 km towards East, then 2 km towards South, then 6 km towards South, then 2 km towards West, then 6 km towards West. In which direction is he from P?
- A. West
- B. East (answer)
- C. South
- D. North
The sideways steps cancel out, so the net movement is towards East.
More Reasoning practice elsewhere: IndiaBIX, LearnTheta. See the 60-day aptitude plan.