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15 Time-Speed-Distance Questions and Answers

15 solved Time-Speed-Distance questions with step-by-step explanations. Includes formulas, shortcuts, and tips for placement tests and competitive exams.

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Time, Speed, and Distance (TSD) is a high-weightage topic in almost every aptitude exam. The core relationship is Speed = Distance ÷ Time. From this, you can derive Distance = Speed × Time and Time = Distance ÷ Speed. Key problem types include: average speed calculations (especially when the same distance is covered at different speeds), relative speed (objects moving towards or away from each other), train problems (crossing platforms, poles, or other trains), and boat-stream problems. Unit conversion between km/hr and m/s is critical — multiply by 5/18 to go from km/hr to m/s. The solved questions below cover all these patterns.

Q1 Easy

A train covers 120 km in 4 hours. What is its average speed?

  • A. 40
  • B. 30 ✓
  • C. 20
  • D. 15
Explanation: Speed = Distance / Time = 120/4 = 30 km/h.
Q2 Easy

How much time is needed to travel 250 km at 50 km/h?

  • A. 3
  • B. 4
  • C. 6
  • D. 5 ✓
Explanation: Time = Distance / Speed = 250/50 = 5 hours.
Q3 Easy

A train covers 150 km in 5 hours. What is its average speed?

  • A. 40
  • B. 20
  • C. 15
  • D. 30 ✓
Explanation: Speed = Distance / Time = 150/5 = 30 km/h.
Q4 Easy

How much time is needed to travel 120 km at 30 km/h?

  • A. 2
  • B. 3
  • C. 4 ✓
  • D. 5
Explanation: Time = Distance / Speed = 120/30 = 4 hours.
Q5 Easy

A bike runs at 72 km/h for 4 hours. Find the distance travelled.

  • A. 268
  • B. 288 ✓
  • C. 298
  • D. 278
Explanation: Distance = Speed x Time = 72 x 4 = 288 km.
Q6 Easy

How much time is needed to travel 200 km at 40 km/h?

  • A. 5 ✓
  • B. 6
  • C. 3
  • D. 4
Explanation: Time = Distance / Speed = 200/40 = 5 hours.
Q7 Medium

A bike runs at 48 km/h for 2 hours. Find the distance travelled.

  • A. 106
  • B. 96 ✓
  • C. 76
  • D. 86
Explanation: Distance = Speed x Time = 48 x 2 = 96 km.
Q8 Medium

A train covers 180 km in 3 hours. What is its average speed?

  • A. 45
  • B. 50
  • C. 60 ✓
  • D. 70
Explanation: Speed = Distance / Time = 180/3 = 60 km/h.
Q9 Medium

How much time is needed to travel 60 km at 30 km/h?

  • A. 2 ✓
  • B. 1
  • C. 3
  • D. 0
Explanation: Time = Distance / Speed = 60/30 = 2 hours.
Q10 Medium

A bike runs at 40 km/h for 3 hours. Find the distance travelled.

  • A. 130
  • B. 100
  • C. 110
  • D. 120 ✓
Explanation: Distance = Speed x Time = 40 x 3 = 120 km.
Q11 Medium

How much time is needed to travel 150 km at 30 km/h?

  • A. 6
  • B. 3
  • C. 4
  • D. 5 ✓
Explanation: Time = Distance / Speed = 150/30 = 5 hours.
Q12 Hard

A bike runs at 54 km/h for 2 hours. Find the distance travelled.

  • A. 98
  • B. 88
  • C. 118
  • D. 108 ✓
Explanation: Distance = Speed x Time = 54 x 2 = 108 km.
Q13 Hard

How much time is needed to travel 300 km at 60 km/h?

  • A. 3
  • B. 5 ✓
  • C. 6
  • D. 4
Explanation: Time = Distance / Speed = 300/60 = 5 hours.
Q14 Hard

A bike runs at 36 km/h for 4 hours. Find the distance travelled.

  • A. 144 ✓
  • B. 134
  • C. 154
  • D. 124
Explanation: Distance = Speed x Time = 36 x 4 = 144 km.
Q15 Hard

How much time is needed to travel 120 km at 60 km/h?

  • A. 2 ✓
  • B. 3
  • C. 1
  • D. 0
Explanation: Time = Distance / Speed = 120/60 = 2 hours.

Key Takeaways

  • Always convert to consistent units before solving (km to m, hours to seconds).
  • Average speed ≠ average of speeds. Use Total Distance ÷ Total Time.
  • For train crossing a platform: Distance = Train length + Platform length.
  • Relative speed when moving towards each other: add. Same direction: subtract.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert km/hr to m/s?

Multiply by 5/18. For example, 72 km/hr = 72 × 5/18 = 20 m/s. To convert m/s to km/hr, multiply by 18/5.

How do I calculate average speed?

Average Speed = Total Distance ÷ Total Time. Never take the arithmetic mean of speeds. For two equal distances covered at different speeds: Average = (2 × S1 × S2) ÷ (S1 + S2).

How do relative speed problems work?

When objects move towards each other: Relative speed = S1 + S2. When moving in the same direction: Relative speed = |S1 - S2|. Time to meet/cross = Distance ÷ Relative Speed.

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