Lesson 2.4: Direction Sense

Introduction:
Direction sense questions are frequently asked in SSC exams. These test your ability to determine the final position or direction after a series of movements.

1. Basics

• Cardinal Directions:

  • North (N), South (S), East (E), West (W)

• Intercardinal Directions:

  • North-East (NE), North-West (NW), South-East (SE), South-West (SW)

2. Types of Questions

1. Distance & Direction: How far and in which direction a person is from the starting point.

2. Right-Angle Turns: Forward, Left, Right movements.

3. Relative Position: Determining one object/person relative to another.

3. Tips for SSC Exams

• Draw a rough diagram to track movements.

• Convert turns and directions into angles (Right = 90° clockwise, Left = 90° anti-clockwise).

• Break movements step by step.

• Use N-S, E-W notation for clarity.

4. Example

Question: A man walks 5 km East, then 3 km North. How far is he from the starting point?
Solution:

• Use Pythagoras theorem:

Distance=52+32=25+9=34≈5.83 km\text{Distance} = \sqrt{5^2 + 3^2} = \sqrt{25+9} = \sqrt{34} \approx 5.83 \text{ km} Distance=52+32​=25+9​=34​≈5.83 km

• Direction = North-East (NE)

5. Practice Questions

1. A person walks 4 km North, then 3 km East. Find distance from start.

2. X moves 6 km West, then 8 km South. Distance from starting point?

3. A man walks 5 km South, 5 km East, 2 km North. Final direction from start?

4. A person walks 3 km East, 4 km North, 3 km West. Find distance and direction.

5. A woman moves 2 km South, 3 km West, 2 km North. Where is she relative to start?