Direction sense

Direction sense questions test your spatial reasoning and ability to track movement through turns and distances — a key topic in logical reasoning sections of placement tests and competitive exams. These questions describe a person's movement path with directions (North, South, East, West) and turns (left, right), asking you to determine the final position, direction faced, or shortest distance from the starting point. Key concepts include: the 4 cardinal directions and their relative positions, Pythagoras theorem for shortest distance when movement creates a right triangle, and shadow-based direction problems (sun position at different times). Drawing a rough diagram is the most reliable approach. Below are direction sense practice questions with detailed step-by-step walkthroughs.

Key Takeaways

• Draw the path step by step. After each move, mark the current position and direction faced.
• Shortest distance = √((east-west distance)² + (north-south distance)²) using Pythagoras.
• Shadow rule: morning shadow falls west of the person. Evening shadow falls east.

Frequently Asked Questions