GMAT Time Speed Distance Sample Questions & Answers

GMAT Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) problems are a part of the GMAT's quantitative reasoning section, testing your ability to solve real-life problems using basic mathematical principles. These questions are designed to measure your critical thinking and problem-solving skills under time constraints.

This is why we’ve curated these questions for GMAT that will help you understand how to answer these types of problems with ease. The questions have been carefully selected to give you a well-rounded practice session.

Understanding the Concept of Time Speed Distance for GMAT

The Time, Speed, and Distance (TSD) concept is fundamental to solving various quantitative reasoning problems on the GMAT. Understanding the relationship between these three variables is crucial for tackling questions effectively. Here’s a breakdown of the key concepts, formulas, and strategies to approach TSD problems:

1. Basic Relationship:

• Distance=Speed×Time
• Speed=Distance/Time
• Time=Distance/Speed

2. Units:

• Distance can be measured in meters (m), kilometers (km), miles, etc.
• Time can be measured in seconds (s), minutes (min), hours (h), etc.
• Speed is usually measured in units like meters per second (m/s), kilometers per hour (km/h), miles per hour (mph), etc.

3. Conversions:

• To convert speed from km/h to m/s: multiply by 5/18
• To convert speed from m/s to km/h: multiply by 18/5

4. Relative Speed:

• When two objects move in the same direction, the relative speed is the difference between their speeds.
• Relative Speed=Speed1−Speed2
• When two objects move in opposite directions, the relative speed is the sum of their speeds.
• Relative Speed=Speed1+Speed2

5. Average Speed:

• For a trip with varying speeds, average speed is calculated by dividing the total distance by the total time taken. 
• Average Speed=Total Distance/Total Time
• If a round trip is made at different speeds, the average speed can be calculated using:  Average Speed=(2×Speed1×Speed2)/(Speed1+Speed2)

6. Boat and Stream:

• Speed downstream (with the current): Speedboat+Speedstream
• Speed upstream (against the current): Speedboat−Speedstream

7. Trains:

• When a train passes a stationary object, the distance covered is the length of the train.
• When a train passes a moving object (e.g., another train) relative speed and the combined lengths are considered.

Yocket Prep doesn't just focus on the how-to’s, we guide you through the logic and strategy that’ll make even the trickiest questions feel like second nature. Get ready to not only solve problems but to solve them faster.

GMAT Time Speed Distance Questions and Answers 

Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) questions test your ability to efficiently solve problems involving motion, such as how long it takes for an object to travel a certain distance at a given speed, or how fast something is moving. Time-Speed-Distance problems can seem tricky at first, but with a solid grasp of the core formulas and some practice, you’ll be well-equipped to handle them on test day. Here are some of the questions to grasp the concept better:

Question 1: A car travels at a speed of 60 km/h for 2 hours. How far does the car travel?

Solution:
To find the distance, we’ll use the formula:
Distance = Speed × Time

Substituting the values:
Distance = 60 km/h × 2 hours = 120 km

Answer: The car travels 120 km.

Question 2: A train moves at a speed of 72 km/h. How long will it take to travel 180 km?

Solution:
We’ll use the formula:
Time = Distance ÷ Speed

Substitute the given values:
Time = 180 km ÷ 72 km/h = 2.5 hours

Answer: The train will take 2.5 hours to travel 180 km.

Question 3: A man cycles 30 miles in 3 hours. What is his average speed?

Solution:
To calculate the average speed, we’ll use:
Speed = Distance ÷ Time

Substitute the values:
Speed = 30 miles ÷ 3 hours = 10 miles per hour

Answer: The man's average speed is 10 miles per hour.

Question 4: A bus travels 240 miles in 4 hours. What is its speed?

Solution:
We’ll apply the same formula for speed:
Speed = Distance ÷ Time

Substitute the given values:
Speed = 240 miles ÷ 4 hours = 60 miles per hour

Answer: The bus is travelling at 60 miles per hour.

Question 5: If a train travels at 90 km/h for 3 hours, how far will it travel?

Solution:
Using the formula:
Distance = Speed × Time

Substitute the values:
Distance = 90 km/h × 3 hours = 270 km

Answer: The train will travel 270 km.

Question 6: A car takes 5 hours to cover a distance of 500 miles. What is its speed?

Solution:
We can calculate the speed using:
Speed = Distance ÷ Time

Substitute the values:
Speed = 500 miles ÷ 5 hours = 100 miles per hour

Answer: The car's speed is 100 miles per hour.

Question 7: A plane flies from City A to City B in 3 hours, covering a distance of 600 miles. What is its average speed?

Solution:
We’ll apply the formula:
Speed = Distance ÷ Time

Substitute the values:
Speed = 600 miles ÷ 3 hours = 200 miles per hour

Answer: The plane's average speed is 200 miles per hour.

Question 8: A cyclist travels 45 miles in 1.5 hours. What is his speed?

Solution:
Using the formula:
Speed = Distance ÷ Time

Substitute the values:
Speed = 45 miles ÷ 1.5 hours = 30 miles per hour

Answer: The cyclist's speed is 30 miles per hour.

Question 9: If a car covers a distance of 240 km in 3 hours, what is its average speed?

Solution:
We use the formula:
Speed = Distance ÷ Time

Substitute the values:
Speed = 240 km ÷ 3 hours = 80 km/h

Answer: The car's average speed is 80 km/h.

Question 10: A boat moves at 20 km/h in still water. If it travels 100 km downstream in 5 hours, what is the speed of the current?

Solution:
Let the speed of the current be ‘x’ km/h. The speed of the boat downstream is (20 + x) km/h. Using the formula:
Time = Distance ÷ Speed

Substitute the values:
5 = 100 ÷ (20 + x)
Solve for x:
20 + x = 100 ÷ 5
20 + x = 20
x = 0

Answer: The speed of the current is 0 km/h (there was no current).

Question 11: A cyclist completes a 36 km journey in 2 hours. What is his speed?

Solution:
Using the formula:
Speed = Distance ÷ Time

Substitute the values:
Speed = 36 km ÷ 2 hours = 18 km/h

Answer: The cyclist's speed is 18 km/h.

Question 12: A train moves at 80 km/h for 5 hours. How far will it travel?

Solution:
We use the formula:
Distance = Speed × Time

Substitute the values:
Distance = 80 km/h × 5 hours = 400 km

Answer: The train will travel 400 km.

Question 13: A car moves at 60 km/h and takes 4 hours to cover a certain distance. What is the distance travelled?

Solution:
Using the formula:
Distance = Speed × Time

Substitute the values:
Distance = 60 km/h × 4 hours = 240 km

Answer: The distance travelled is 240 km.

Question 14: If a train is moving at 75 km/h and travels for 3.5 hours, how far does it travel?

Solution:
Using the formula:
Distance = Speed × Time

Substitute the values:
Distance = 75 km/h × 3.5 hours = 262.5 km

Answer: The train will travel 262.5 km.

Question 15: A person walks at 5 km/h. How long will it take him to cover a distance of 20 km?

Solution:
We can find the time using the formula:
Time = Distance ÷ Speed

Substitute the values:
Time = 20 km ÷ 5 km/h = 4 hours

Answer: It will take him 4 hours to cover the distance.

Time, Distance and Speed Conversions

One of the most important skills in solving Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) problems is understanding and mastering unit conversions. Whether it’s converting from miles to kilometres, hours to minutes, or any other common unit change, being able to quickly switch between units is vital to solving these problems accurately. Misinterpreting units or forgetting to convert them can easily lead to incorrect answers, so it's essential to approach these conversions with confidence and precision.

The most common conversions you'll need to work with on the GMAT are:

• Speed conversions: Converting between kilometres per hour (km/h) and miles per hour (mph), or between metres per second (m/s) and km/h.

• Time conversions: Changing between minutes and hours, or seconds and minutes.

• Distance conversions: Converting between miles, kilometres, metres, and even inches when necessary.

It’s helpful to have a few basic conversion factors memorised, such as:

• 1 mile = 1.60934 km
• 1 hour = 60 minutes
• 1 minute = 60 seconds

By becoming comfortable with these conversions and practising them regularly, you can avoid confusion during the exam and focus on solving the problem at hand.

Tips to Master GMAT Time Speed Distance Questions

Getting your TSD questions right requires more than just understanding formulas, it needs you to develop strategies to solve problems quickly and accurately. Here are some effective tips to help you attempt TSD questions on the GMAT:

• Focus on the core concepts: While solving TSD questions, always ensure you fully understand the problem’s scenario. This involves recognising how time, speed, and distance interact and applying logical thinking to break down the problem.

• Double-check units: Always pay attention to the units provided in the problem. Ensure that you’re working with consistent units throughout the question. For instance, if the question provides speed in miles per hour but distance in kilometres, make sure to convert the speed or distance to the same unit before solving.

• Break down the problem step by step: Word problems can seem overwhelming at first, but by taking a systematic approach, you can simplify the process. Read the problem carefully, underline the key information, and break it down into manageable steps before solving.

• Practice with diverse scenarios: TSD questions on the GMAT often feature different types of motion, such as cars, trains, boats, or swimmers. By practising a variety of problem types, you'll become familiar with different methods of solving them, helping you avoid surprises on exam day.

• Think logically and estimate when needed: Sometimes, estimations can help you quickly narrow down the answer choices. If the problem involves large numbers or complex data, try rounding numbers or using approximations to get a rough idea of the correct answer. This technique can save valuable time.

• Stay organised in your work: In complex questions, where multiple steps are involved, organise your work methodically. Writing down intermediate steps will not only help prevent errors but also ensure you don’t miss any important detail in the problem.

• Use practice to build speed: The more you practice, the faster you’ll become. Time-Speed-Distance questions can often be time-sensitive, so speed is just as important as accuracy. By regularly solving practice problems, you’ll become more comfortable with the types of questions you’ll encounter and learn to identify patterns quickly.

From the Desk of Yocket

Mastering Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) questions is a beneficial skill that can majorly improve your GMAT performance. These types of questions are often seen as tricky, but with consistent practice and a clear strategy, they can become some of the most manageable problems on your test. The key to success lies in understanding the fundamental concepts, like the relationship between time, speed, and distance. Then, applying them efficiently to different scenarios. 

Yocket Prep understand the challenges students face in preparing for the GMAT. That’s why we offer a range of tailored prep resources, including practice questions, expert tips, and personalised guidance, to help you navigate these challenges.