Question:medium

A man walks 5 km South, turns left and walks 3 km, then turns left again and walks 5 km. In which direction is he from the starting point?

Show Hint

In direction problems:
  • Facing North → Left = West, Right = East
  • Facing South → Left = East, Right = West
  • Facing East → Left = North, Right = South
  • Facing West → Left = South, Right = North
Always track movements step-by-step or draw a small diagram to avoid confusion.
Updated On: Mar 16, 2026
  • East
  • West
  • North
  • South
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

This is a direction sense question that requires tracking the movement of a person from a starting point to determine their final position relative to the start.
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We need to find the final direction of the man with respect to his initial position.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The best approach is to visualize or draw the path. We can also track the net movement along the North-South and East-West axes.
- A left turn when facing South is towards the East.
- A left turn when facing East is towards the North.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's trace the man's journey step-by-step. Assume the starting point is A.
1. Walks 5 km South: The man moves from A to a point B, 5 km to the south.
- Net displacement: 5 km South.
2. Turns left and walks 3 km: When facing South, a left turn is towards the East. He walks 3 km East to a point C.
- Net displacement: 5 km South, 3 km East.
3. Turns left again and walks 5 km: When facing East, a left turn is towards the North. He walks 5 km North to a final point D.
- Net displacement: (5 km South + 5 km North), 3 km East.
Now, let's calculate the final position relative to the starting point A.
- The 5 km movement to the South is cancelled out by the 5 km movement to the North.
- The only remaining displacement is the 3 km movement to the East.
So, the final point D is 3 km to the East of the starting point A.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The man is in the East direction from his starting point.
\[ \boxed{\text{East}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0