Ravi walks 10 m north, then turns right and walks 10 m, then turns right again and walks 10 m. In which direction is he from his starting point?

Appeared in: HPSSC - 2015

Explanation

The problem requires tracking movement and direction changes to find the final position relative to the start.
Ravi's path is: 10 meters North, followed by a right turn to go 10 meters East, and another right turn to go 10 meters South.
The 10-meter northward journey is perfectly cancelled by the 10-meter southward journey.
This leaves only the 10-meter eastward displacement from the starting point.
Therefore, his final location is to the East of where he began.

Option B: To end up West, Ravi would have needed to make a left turn from his initial Northward path, not a right turn.
Option C: His final position is not North of the starting point because his 10m Southward walk cancelled his 10m Northward walk.
Option D: South is the direction of his final leg of the journey, but it is not his final position relative to his starting point.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Directional sense and spatial reasoning as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests logical and spatial reasoning, a fundamental cognitive skill.
While not a clinical question, strong reasoning skills are crucial for nurses in problem-solving, prioritizing tasks, and navigating complex healthcare environments.
What if? If Ravi had turned left instead of right at the first turn, he would have ended up 10m West of his starting point, as the path would be North, then West, then South.

How to Approach the Question

Read the question carefully, identifying each distinct movement and turn.
It is highly recommended to draw a simple diagram to trace the path. Start with a dot for the starting point.
Draw an upward arrow from the starting point to represent '10 m North'.
From the tip of that arrow, make a 90-degree right turn (towards the East) and draw another arrow for '10 m East'.
From the new point, make another 90-degree right turn (towards the South) and draw a final arrow for '10 m South'.
Compare the final position with the starting point. You will see the final point is directly to the East of the start.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qv14mAbKvZggUTf-pWGHIY

Practise the full HPSSC - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.