Speed, Distance, Time
Speed, Distance, Time Data Sufficiency problems test your ability to determine if given statements provide enough information to find speed, distance, or time. You must assess sufficiency using the formula Distance = Speed × Time and its variations.
What You'll Learn
Introduction to Speed, Distance, Time
Speed, Distance, Time Data Sufficiency problems test your ability to determine if given statements provide enough information to find speed, distance, or time. You must assess sufficiency using the formula Distance = Speed × Time and its variations.
Prerequisites
How to Solve Speed, Distance, Time Problems
Step 1: Identify what is being asked (speed, distance, time, or average speed)
Step 2: Translate each statement into D = S × T relationships
Step 3: Check if Statement (1) alone gives a unique answer
Step 4: Check if Statement (2) alone gives a unique answer
Step 5: Combine statements if needed
Step 6: Remember that knowing any two of {D, S, T} gives the third
Step 7: Select the appropriate DS answer choice
Example Problem
Example: What is the speed of the train? Statement (1): The train covers 240 km in 4 hours. Statement (2): The train covers 180 km in 3 hours. Solution: Step 1: Question asks for speed Step 2: Statement (1): Speed = 240/4 = 60 km/h → SUFFICIENT alone Step 3: Statement (2): Speed = 180/3 = 60 km/h → SUFFICIENT alone Answer: Each statement alone is sufficient
Pro Tips & Tricks
- Distance + Time → sufficient for Speed
- Speed + Time → sufficient for Distance
- Distance + Speed → sufficient for Time
- Average speed requires total distance and total time (not average of speeds)
- For two-part journeys, need distance and time for each part to find overall average speed
- Relative speed: when two objects move toward each other, relative speed = sum; same direction, relative speed = difference
Shortcut Methods to Solve Faster
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Practice Worksheets
Practice makes perfect! Work through these worksheets to master Speed, Distance, Time. Each worksheet contains 20 questions with detailed explanations. Start from Worksheet 1 and progress through increasing difficulty levels.
Exam Importance
Speed, Distance, Time is an important topic for various competitive exams. Here's how frequently it appears:
Ready to Master Speed, Distance, Time?
Start with Worksheet 1 and work your way up to expert level! Each worksheet includes: