General Intelligence and Logical Reasoning

Chapter – 4

SPACE ORIENTATION
(DIRECTION SENSE)
4.1 Space Orientation
❖ Space orientation or spatial orientation test determine your ability to follow directions.
❖ Direction is the General position of one object with respect to another object.

4.1.1 Main Directions & Cardinal Direction

➢ There are four main direction i.e. North (N), South (S), East (E) and West (W) and
four cardinal directions (direction between two adjacent main directions) i.e. North –
East (N-E), South – East (S-E), South – West (S-W) and North – West (N-W).

Left N Right

N-W N-E

Right Left

45˚
W E

Left Right

S-W S-E
Right S Left

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4.1.2 Angle of movement

360˚
0˚
315˚ 45˚

270˚ 90˚ Clockwise

movement

225˚ 135˚
180˚

360˚
0˚
45˚ 315˚

Anti-clockwise
movement 90˚ 270˚

135˚ 225˚
180˚

(i) When a person moves in the direction of motion of a clock, then the movement is
said to be clockwise.
(ii) When a person moves in the direction opposite to the motion of a clock, then the
movement is said to be anti-clockwise.

4.1.2.1 Shadow at the time of sunrise and sunset

❑ In the morning, sun rises in the East and the shadow of any person or object falls in
the West. In the evening, when the sun sets in the West, the shadow of a person or an
object falls in the East.

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4.2 Shortest Distance
➢ Displacement is the minimum distance between the initial and final position of a
person. We can calculate the minimum distance by using Pythagoras theorem.
➢ Suppose a person moves a distance AB from point ‘A’, then turns to his left and moves
a distance BC as shows in figure. We can see that AC is the minimum distance
between initial and final position.

C
Final
Position

A B
Initial
Position

Now, in ∆ ABC

Using Pythagoras theorem,

𝐴𝐶 2 = 𝐴𝐵2 + 𝐵𝐶 2 ⇒ √𝐴𝐵2 + 𝐵𝐶2

Or minimum distance = √𝐴𝐵 2 + 𝐵𝐶 2

There are mainly three types of questions which are asked

4.2.1 To Find the Direction

➢ In this type of questions, the candidate is required to find the final direction during the
course of journey or direction of one person/point/object with respect to other.

4.2.2 To Find the Distance

➢ In this type of questions, the candidate is required to find the distance between any
two points during the course of journey or distance between two persons/points
/objects.

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4.2.3 To Find Both Distance and Direction

➢ In this type of questions, the candidate is required to find both distance and direction
between the initial and final position during the course of journey or distance and
direction between two persons/points/objects.
Example 1:
A man walks 8 km towards North. From there he turns right and walks 7 km. Again he
turns right and walks 8 km. Now he turns left and walks 10 km. again he turns left and
walks 8 km. Now he turns right and walks 9 km. Again he turns right and walks 8 km.
find the distance and direction he is from the starting point?
Solution:

Step-1: N(8) E(7) S(8) E(10) N(8) E(9) S(8)

Step-2: N(8) E(7) S(8) E(10) N(8) E(9) S(8) = E(26)

He is 26 km far in East direction from starting point.

Ans:- 26 km, East

Example 2:
A man walks 10 km towards South and then turns to the right. After walking 5 km he
turns to the left and walks 6 km. Finally he turns to his right and walks 4 km. Now in
which direction is he from starting point?
Solution:

S(10) W(5) S(6) W(4) = S(16) W(9).

Direction = South – West

Ans:- South- West

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Example 3:
Shyam started from his house towards West. After 30 m, he turned to his right and
walked 15 m, then he turned to his left and walked 15 m. After that he turned to his left
and walked 40 m. Now he turned to his left and walked 7 m. Finally he turned to his
left. In which direction is Shyam walking now?
Solution:

According to the question, we require only direction. i.e. W-N-W-S-E-N = Final

direction is North. So, he is walking in the North direction at present.

1
1
4 3

Ans:- North

Example 4:
For a competitive exam only 4 members attended. The examiner made them to sit in
such a way that P sits West of Q and South of R, who sits East of S. Determine the
direction of S from Q.
Solution:

N
S R N
N
E
W E

S S
P Q S

From the diagram, S is in the North-West direction from Q.

Ans:- North-West

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Example 5:
5 poles P, Q, R, S and T are located in such a way that T is to the East of Q. Q is to the
South of R. P is to the West of Q. S is to the North of P and ∠RSP is equals to 90º. Then
find the relative position of T from R?
Solution:

We need to draw the diagram for this problem.

S R

P Q T
Position of S from R = West
Ans:- West

Example 6:
Rita is going northwards. She turns right, moves some distance and again turns to her
right. After moving some distance she turns to her left. In which direction now is she
going?
Solution:

According to the question, the direction diagram can be drawn as,

Ri
Ri Le E
W

Initial S
Ans:- East positio

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Example 7:
A person is standing facing west. He turns 90º in anti-clockwise direction and then 135º
in clockwise direction. Which direction is he facing now?
Solution:

To solve this type of questions, first we calculate the difference between clockwise and
anti-clockwise direction. Then, the person will move in the direction which has
maximum degree of turn.
Difference = 135º - 90º = 45º clock wise direction
N
NW NE

4
W E

SW S
S E

Therefore, the person is now facing North- West direction.

Ans:- North -west

Example 8:
The time on the watch is 9: 15 and the hour hand points towards West. The direction of
the minute hand is
Solution:

According to the question, the direction diagram will be as follows

N
1

9 • 3 W E

6
S

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 So, when hour hand is pointing towards West, then the minute hand will be pointing
towards East at 9 : 15.

Ans:-East

Example 9:
A man walks 30 m in South direction and then turned towards his right and walks 20
m. Again, he turned towards his right and walks 30 m. how far is he from his starting
point?
Solution:

According to the question, the direction diagram can be drawn as

N
Final Initial
position position

W E
3 30

Ri Ri S
g g
20

 Required distance AD = BC (as AB = CD = 30 m)

AD = 20 m
Ans:- 20 m

Example 10:
Point M is 5 m to the West of point D. Point F is 3 m to the South of point D and point
J is 4 m to the East of point F. How far and in which direction is point J with respect
to point D?
Solution:

According to the question, the direction diagram can be drawn as,

M 5 D N N
NW NE

3 W E

SW SE
F 4 J S

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 Direction between D and J can be calculated using Pythagoras theorem.

DJ = √𝐷𝐹 2 + 𝐹𝐽2 = √32 + 42 = √25 = 5 m

Also, J is to the South – East of D.

J is 5m to the South – East of point D.

Ans:- 5m South - East

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 Solved Questions
Question 1:
A boy goes in South direction, then he turns towards left and travels for some distance.
After that he turns right and moves certain distance. At last he turns left and travel again
for some distance. Now, in which direction is he moving?
a) South
b) West
c) East
d) North
Solution:
The direction diagram is as follows,

W E

Clearly, he is moving towards East direction.

Ans:- c) East

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Question 2:
I was facing East where I turned to my left and walked 12 ft, then I turned towards right
and walked 6 ft, After that I walked 6 ft. In south direction and at last I walked 6 ft in the
West. Then, in which direction am I standing from the original point?
a) West
b) East
c) South
d) North
Solution:
The direction diagram is as follows,
6
N

12 ft 6
W E

6
S
Final
Initial position positi

He is towards North from his initial position.

Ans:- d) North

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Question 3:
West is to the south of Aishwarya and to the West of Rani. If Priyanka is to the south of
Ram, then in which direction is Priyanka with respect to Rani?
a) South
b) North – East
c) South – West
d) North
Solution:
According to the question,
Aishwarya N
NW NE

W E
R Rani
a
SW SE
Priyanka Q S

Clearly, Priyanka is towards South- West of Rani.

Ans:- c) South – West

Question 4:
There are four roads. I have come from the South and want to go the temple. The road to
the right leads me towards the coffee house while straight road leads to the college. In
which direction is the temple?
a) North
b) East
c) South
d) West
Solution:
According to the question, College N

Temple Coffee W E
house
L R
e i
S
Starting
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Point 12
 Clearly, temple is towards East.
Ans:- b) East

Question 5:
I am facing North. I turn 135º in clockwise direction, then 180º in anti- clockwise direction.
What direction am I facing now?
a) North – East
b) West
c) South – East
d) North – West
Solution:
Difference in degrees = 180º - 135º = 45º anti-clockwise
(anti-clockwise) (clockwise)
N
N NE
W
4
W E

SW SE
S
Hence, now I am facing in North-West direction.
Ans:- d) North – West

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Question 6:
Rama is facing East. He turns 90º in clockwise direction, and then 135º in anti-clockwise
direction and then again 90º in clockwise direction. Which direction is she facing now?
a) South – East
b) South
c) North – East
d) South – West
Solution:
N
Clockwise turns = 90º + 90º = 180º NW NE
Anti-clockwise turn = 135º

Difference = 180º - 135º W 4 E

= 45º clockwise
SW SE
S
Hence, now Rama is facing in South-East direction.

Ans:- a) South – East

Question 7:
A person walks away from his house at 8: 00 am and observes his shadow to his right.
Then, he turns towards his left and then again towards his right. Which direction is he facing
now?
a) West
b) South
c) North
d) East
Solution:
According to the question, the shadow is towards his right at 8: 00 am that means the
person is walking towards South direction.

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 H
o N

W E

Clearly, he is facing South direction.

Ans:- b) South

Question 8:
One day, during Sunset, two friends Sudhir and Amit were talking, facing each other. If
Amit’s shadow was on his right then in which direction is Aman facing. If Aman Faces the
direction opposite of what Sudhir is facing?
a) North
b) West
c) East
d) South
Solution:
According to the question, at Sunset Amit’s shadow is towards his right that means he
is facing North.
Now, Sudhir is standing in front of him that means Sudhir is facing south. Now, Aman
faces the direction opposite of Sudhir.
Aman is facing North direction.

Ans:- a) North

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Question 9:
The time in a clock is quarter past twelve. If the hour hand points to the East, then towards
which direction the minute hand is pointing?
a) South – West
b) South
c) West
d) North
Solution:
Time quarter past twelve means that the time is 12: 15

Original
Position N
12 1
11
10 2
3 W E
9
8 4
7 6 5
S

After
Shifting
12 1
11
10 2

9 3
8 4
7 5
6

Hence, when hour hand is pointing towards East, then the minute hand is pointing
towards South.
Ans:- b) South

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Question 10:
A house faces North. A man coming out of his house walked straight for 10 m turned left
and walked 25 m. He then turned right and walked 5m and again turned right and walked
25m. How far is he from his house?
a) 15 m
b) 55 m
c) 60 m
d) 65 m
Solution:
According to the question,
25 m
C D N

5m
W E
B A
25 m

10 m S

O House

Required distance = OD = OA + AD
= OA + BC
= 10 + 5 = 15
Ans:- a) 15 m

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Question 11:
A cyclist goes 30 km to North and then turning East he goes 40 km. Again, he turns to his
right and goes 20 km. after this, he turns to his right and goes 40 km. How far is he from
his starting point?
a) 6 km
b) 10 km
c) 25 km
d) 40 km
Solution:
According to the question,
40 km
A B N

30 km 20 km
W E
D C
40 km
Final position
S
O
Starting position

Required distance = OD = OA – AD
= OA – BC
= 30 – 20 = 10 km
Ans:- b) 10 km

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Question 12:
A boat moves from port towards East. After sailing for 9 miles, she turns towards right and
covers another 12 miles. If she wants the shortest distance now from her position?
a) 21 miles
b) 20 miles
c) 18 miles
d) 15 miles
Solution:
According to the question,

N
Ports 9 miles
• O A
O
W E
12 miles

Required distance = OB = √𝑂𝐴2 + 𝐴𝐵2

(Using Pythagoras Theorem)

= √92 + 122

= √225

= 15 miles

Ans:- d) 15 miles

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Question 13:
A cyclist rides 40 km to the East, turns North and rides 20 km, again turns left and rides 20
km. How far is he from his starting point?
a) 0 km
b) 10 km
c) 15 km
d) 20√2 km
Solution:
According to the question,

N
C 20 km
B

W E
20 km

D A S
O
40 km
Starting
point

In  OCD,

OD = OA – AD = OA – BC

= 40 – 20 = 20 km

= CD = AB = 20 km

Now, required distance = OC

= √𝐶𝐷 2 + 𝑂𝐷 2

= √202 + 202

= √800

= 20√2 km

Ans:- d) 20√𝟐 km

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Question 14:
A man travels 4 km due North, then travels 6 km due East and further travels 4 km due
North. How far is he from the starting point?
a) 6 m
b) 14 km
c) 8 km
d) 10 km
Solution:
According to the question,

4 km
Final position N
A B
6 km
4 km
W E

D S
O
Starting point

In  OCD,
OD = AB = 6 km
CD = BC + BD
= BC + OA
=4+4
= 8 km
Now, required distance
OC = √𝑂𝐷2 + 𝐶𝐷 2
= √62 + 82
= √100
= 10 km
Ans:- d) 10 km

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Question 15:
A and B starts walking from same point. A goes North and covers 3 km, then turns right
and covers 4 km. B goes West and covers 5 km. Then, turns right and covers 3 km. How
far apart are they from each other?
a) 10 km
b) 9 km
c) 8 km
d) 5 km
Solution:
According to the question,
N
Final
B’s Final position 4 Km
C position
G A’s
C D
W E
3 Km s
3 km

E 5m O S
Starting position

Required distance = GD = GC + CD
= EO + CD = 5 + 4 = 9 km
Ans:- b) 9 km

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Question 16:
Rohit walked 25 m towards South. Then he turned to his left and walked 20 m. He then
turned to his left and walked 25 m. He again turned to his right and walked 15 m. At what
distance is he from his starting point and in which direction?
a) 35 m, East
b) 35 m, North
c) 40 m, East
d) 60 m, East
Solution:
According to the question,
O C 15 m
Starting point D GN
Final position

25m 25 m W E

A 20 m B S

Required distance = OD = OC + CD
= BA + CD
= 20 + 15
= 35 m

Also, point d is to the East of point O.

He is 35 m towards East from his starting point.

Ans:- a) 35 m, East

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Question 17:
Starting from a point P, Rohan walked 20 m towards South. He then turned left and walked
30 m. He then turned left and walked 20m. He again turned left and walked 40m and
reached point Q. How far and in which direction is the point Q from the point P?
a) 20 m , West
b) 10 m, East
c) 10 m, West
d) 10 m, North
Solution:
According to the question,

Starting position N
P
G C C
Final
position W E
20 m

O 30 m B S

We can see that point ‘Q’ is to the West of point ‘P’. Now,

Required distance = PQ = QC – PC

= 40 – 30

= 10 m

 Q is 10 m to the West of P.

Ans:- c) 10 m, West

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Question 18:
Mohan left for his office in his car. He drove 15 km towards North and then 10 km towards
West. He then turned to the South and covered 5 km. Further he turned to the East and
moved 8 km. Finally, he turned right and drove 10 km. How far and in which direction is
he from his starting point?
a) 2 km, West
b) 5 km, East
c) 3 km, North
d) 6 km, South
Solution:

According to the question,

B 10 km A N
5 km
D
C 8 km W E
15 km
10 km
Final S
position E O
Starting point

Point E is to the West of point O.

Now, required distance = EO = AB – CD

= 10 – 8

= 2 km

Hence, he is 2 km towards West from his starting point.

Ans:- a) 2 km, West

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Question 19:
Ramesh walks 10 m towards South. Turning to the left, he walks 20 m and then moves to
his right. After moving a distance of 20 m, he turns to the right and then walks 20 m. Finally,
he turns to the right and moves a distance of 10 m. How far and in which direction is he
from the starting point?
a) 10 m, North
b) 20 m, South
c) 20 m, North
d) 10m, South
Solution:
According to the question,
O Starting point

10 m
20 m
A B N

Final position 20 m
E W E

D C
20 m S

Point E is the south of point O.

Now,

Required distance = EO = OD – ED

= 30 – 10

= 20 m

Hence, he is 20 m towards South from his starting point.

Ans:- b) 20 m, South

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Question 20:
Kunal walks 10 km towards North, from there he walks 6 km towards South, then he walks
3 km towards East. How far and in which direction is he from his starting point?
a) 5 km, West
b) 7 km, East
c) 5 km, South West
d) 5 km, North – East
Solution:
According to the question,

A N
NW NE
6 km
10 km W E
B 3 km C
4 km

SW SE
S
O
Starting
point

Clearly, point C is to the North – East of point O.

Now, required distance = OC

OC = √𝑂𝐵2 + 𝐵𝐶 2 (Pythagoras theorem)

= √16 + 9

= √25

= 5 km

Hence, he is 5 km towards North – East from his starting point.

Ans:- d) 5 km, North East

 Wish you all the Best 

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