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.
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Example:1
Ritu is going Northwards. She turns to her right, moves some distance and again turns
to her right. After moving some distance she turns to her left. In which direction she
turns to her left. In which direction now is she going?
Solution:
According to the question, the direction diagram can be drawn as
N
Right
Right Left W E
Clearly, Ritu is going towards East.
Ans:- East
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Example: 2
A person is standing facing west. He turns 90ᶱ in anti-clockwise direction and then 135ᶱ in
clockwise direction, which direction is he facing now?
Solution:
To solve this types of questions, first we calculation the difference between clockwise and
anticlockwise direction. Then, the person will move in the direction which has maximum
degree of turn.
Difference =135ᶱ-90ᶱ=45ᶱ clock wise direction
N
N-W N-E
45˚ E
W
S-W S-E
S
Therefore, the person is now facing North-West direction.
Ans:- North – West
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Example: 3
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 questions, the direction diagram will be as follows
12
W E
9 3
6
S
So, when hour hand is pointing towards West, then the minute hand will be pointing
towards
East at 9 : 15.
Ans:- East
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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Example: 4
A man walks 30m in South direction and then turned towards his right and walks 20m.
Again, he turned towards his right and walks 30m. How far is he from his starting
point?
Solution:
According to the question, the direction diagram can be drawn as
D A
Final Initial
Position N
Position
30 m 30 m W E
Right
Right
S
B
C
∴Required distance AD = BC (as AB=CD=30m)
∴ AD = 20m
Ans:- 20 m
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Example: 5
A person walks 3km towards East, then turns to his left and walks 4km. How far is he
from his starting point?
Solution:
According to the question, the direction diagram can be as
C
(Final
Position) N
4 km
W E
Left
3 km B S
A
(Initial Position)
∴ Required distance = AC= √𝐴𝐵2 + 𝐵𝐶 2 [Pythagoras theorem]
= √32 + 42 = √25 = 5 𝑘𝑚
Ans:- 5 km
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.
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Example: 6
Point M is 5 m to the West of Point D. Point F is 3 m to the South of 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:
The direction diagram can be drawn as,
N
N-W N-E
M 5m D
W E
3m
F 4m S-W S-E
J
S
Distance between D and J can be calculated using Pythagoras theorem,
DJ= √𝐷𝐹2 + 𝐹𝐽2 =√25 = 5 𝑚
Also, J is to the South-East of D.
∴ J is 5m to the South-East of point D.
Ans:- 5 m, South-East
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Example: 7
One day, during Sunrise, Sudhir walks 6 m in the direction of his shadow, then turns to
his right and walks 4 m. Finally, he turns to his right and walks 9 m. Find how far
and in which direction is he from his starting point?
Solution:
The direction diagram can be drawn as,
C 9m E
D (Final Position)
4m
Initial Position
B 6m A
As in the morning the shadow is towards West.
Now, in ∆EAD,
EA=BC=4 m and ED=CD-AB=9-6=3m
Now, using Pythagoras theorem,
AD= √𝐴𝐸2 + 𝐸𝐷 2 =√42 + 32 = 5 𝑚
Also, point D is to the North-East of point A.
∴ He is 5 m away and in North-East direction from his starting point.
Ans:- 5m, North – East direction
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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,
Starting point
N
W E
Clearly, he is moving towards East direction.
Ans:- (c) East
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Question 2:
I was facing East from where I turned to my left and walked 12ft, then I turned towards
right and walked 6ft, After than I walked 6ft, After that I walked 6ft in South direction
and at last I walked 6ft 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 ft
N
6 ft
12 ft
W E
6 ft
Final position
S
Initial position
Clearly, I am towards North from my initial position
Ans:- (d) North
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Question 3:
Ram 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
N-W N-E
Ram Rani W E
S-W S-E
Priyanka S
Clearly, Priyanka is towards South-West of Rani.
Ans:- (c) South – West
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Question 4:
There are four rods, I have come from the South and want to go the temple. The road
to the right leads to temple, 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
Temple Coffee house W E
Left Right
Starting point
Clearly, temple is towards East.
Ans:- (b) East
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Question 5:
I am facing North. I turn 135° in anti-clockwise direction, then 180° 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
= 180° - 135° = 45° anti-clockwise.
(anti-clockwise) (clockwise)
N
N-W N-E
45˚
W E
S-W S-E
S
Hence, now I am facing in North-West direction.
Ans:- (d) North-West direction.
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Question 6:
Ram is facing East. He turns 90° in clockwise direction and then 135 ° in anti-clockwise
direction and then again 90° in clockwise direction. Which direction is she facing now?
a) South-East
b) South
c) North-East
d) South-West
Solution:
Clockwise turn=90°+90°=180°
Anti-clockwise turn =135°
Difference =180°-135°=45° clockwise
N
N-W N-E
W E
45˚
S-W S-E
S
Hence, now Rama is facing in South-East direction.
Ans:- (a) South – East
Department of Employment and Training, Government of Tamil Nadu 16
Question 7:
A person walks away from his house at 8.00am and observes his shadow of 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
House
N
W E
Clearly, he is facing South direction.
Ans:- (b) South
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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 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 toward 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
Question 9:
Pinky walks a distance of 600 m towards East, turns left and moves 500 m, then turns
left and walks 600 m and then turns left again and moves 500 m and halts. At what
distance in metres is she from the starting point?
a) 2200
b) 500
c) 0
d) 600
Solution:
The direction diagram is as follows,
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D 600 m C N
500 m 500 m
W E
A 600 m B
Initial point S
Clearly, Pinky’s final position is initial position. Hence, she is ‘0’ distance away from
starting point.
Ans:- (b) South
Question 10:
A direction pole was situated on the road crossing. Due to an accident, the pole turned
in such a manner that the pointer which was showing East, started showing North, West
started showing South. Sita, a traveler went to the wrong direction thinking it to be
West. In what direction actually she was travelling?
a) North
b) West
c) East
d) South
Solution:
N W
W E S N
S E
The pointer which was showing West started showing South. Hence the pointer turned
90° clockwise.
Now, Sita went to the direction thinking it as West. The original direction will be 90°
clockwise i.e. North direction. Ans:- (a) North
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Question 11:
While facing East you turn to your left and walk 10 yards. Then, turn to your left and
walk 10 yards and now turn 45° to your right and go straight to cover 50 yards. Now,
in what direction are you with respect to the starting point?
a) North-East
b) North
c) South-East
d) North-West
Solution:
Let A be the initial position of the man. He initially faced East and then turned his left
in the direction of North and walked 10 yards.
45˚
50 yards 10 yards
B
C
10 yards
Then, turned his left in the direction of west and walked 10 yards. Now, he turned 45°
to his right and walked 50 yards straight in the same direction. Now, the direction of
the man with respect to his standing point is North-West.
Ans:- (d) North-West
Department of Employment and Training, Government of Tamil Nadu 20
Question 12:
A house faces North. A man coming out of his house walked straight for 10m, turned
left and waked 25m. He then turned right and walked 25m. He then turned right and
walked 25m. He then turned right and walked 5m and again turned right and walked
25m. How far is he from his house?
a) 15m
b) 55m
c) 60m
d) 65m
Solution:
According to the equation,
25 m
C D N
A W E
B 25 m
10 m
S
O House
∴Required distance = OD = OA + AD
= OA + BC = 10 + 5 = 15m
Ans:- (a) 15 m
Department of Employment and Training, Government of Tamil Nadu 21
Question 13:
A cyclist goes 30km to North and then turning East he goes 40km. Again, he turns to his
right and goes 20km. After this, he turns to his right and goes 40km. How far is he from
his starting point?
a) 6 km
b) 10km
c) 25km
d) 40km
Solution:
According to the question,
40 km
A B
N
30 km 20 km
D C W E
40 km
Final position
S
O
Starting position
∴Required distance, OD = OA - AD
= OA – BC = 30 – 20 = 10km
Ans:- (b) 10 km
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Question 14:
A boat moves from port towards East. After sailing for 9 miles, she turns towards right
and covers another 12 miles. If she wants to go back to the port, what is the shortest
distance now from her position?
a) 21 miles
b) 20 miles
c) 18 miles
d) 15 miles
Solution:
According to the question,
Port 9 miles A
N
O
12 miles W E
B S
∴Required distance, OB√𝑂𝐴2 + 𝐴𝐵2
(Using Pythagoras theorem)
=√92 + 122 = √225 = 15
Ans:- (d) 15 miles
Department of Employment and Training, Government of Tamil Nadu 23
Question 15:
A cyclist rides 40km to the East, turns North and ride 20km, again turns left and rides 20km.
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,
C 20 km
B
N
20 km W E
S
O D A
40 km
In ∆OCD, OD = OA – AD = OA - BC
= 40 – 20 = 20 km
And CD = AB = 20 km.
Now, required distance, OC = √𝐶𝐷 2 + 𝑂𝐷2
= √202 + 202 √800 = 20√2𝑘𝑚
Ans:- (d) 𝟐𝟎√𝟐𝐤𝐦
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Question 16:
A man travels 4 km due North, then travels 6km due East and further travels 4km due
North. How far is he from the starting point?
a) 6 km
b) 124 km
c) 8 km
d) 10 km
Solution:
According to the question,
C N
Final position 4 km
W E
A
6 km B
4 km
S
D
O
Starting position
In ∆OCD,
And OD=AB=6km⇒ CD=BC+BD
=BC+OA=4+4=8km
Now, required distance
OC=√OD2 + CD2 √62 + 82 =√100 = 10𝑘𝑚
Ans:- (d) 10 km
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Question 17:
A and B starts waking 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 3km.
How far apart are they from each other?
a) 10km
b) 9km
c) 8km
d) 5km
Solution:
According to the question,
B’s Final Position 4 km Final N
A’s
G C D Position
W E
3 km 3 km
E 5 km O Starting point S
∴Required distance, GD = GC + CD
= EO + CD = 5 + 4 = 9km
Ans:- (b) 9 km
Department of Employment and Training, Government of Tamil Nadu 26
Question 18:
Rohit walked 25m towards South. Then he turned to his left and walked 20m. He then
turned to his left and waked 25m. He again turned try his right and walked 15m.
At what distance is he from his starting point and in which direction?
a) 35m, East
b) 35m, North
c) 40m, East
d) 60m, East
Solution:
According to the question,
Starting O C 15 m N
D
point Final
25 m position
25 m W E
A 20 m B S
∴Required distance, OD = OC + CD
= BA + CD = 20 + 15 = 35m
Also, point D is to the East of point O.
∴ He is 35m towards East from his starting point
Ans:- (a) 35m, East
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Question 19:
Starting from a point P, Rohan walked 20m towards South. He turned left and walked
30m. 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) 20m, West
b) 10m, East
c) 10m, West
d) 10m, North
Solution:
According to the question,
P N
C
Q C
Final position
20 m
20 m
W E
A 30 m B
S
We can see that Point ‘Q’ is to the West of point ‘P’.
Now, Required distance =PQ=QC=PC
=OC-AB=40-30=10m
∴Q is 10m to the West of P
Ans:- (c) 10m, West
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Question 20:
Mohan left for his office in his car. He drove 15km towards West. He then turned to
the South and covered 5 km. Further, he turned to the East and moves 8 km. Finally,
he turned right and drove 10km. 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,
N
B 10 km A
5 km
W E
C 8 km
10 km 15 km
S
E O Starting point
Final position
Point E is to the West point O
Now, required distance, EO=AB-CD
=10-8=2km
Hence, he is 2km towards West from his starting point.
Ans:- (a) 2 km, West
Wish you all the Best
Department of Employment and Training, Government of Tamil Nadu 29
