Time, Speed & Distance

The heaviest topic in arithmetic. Mastering Relative Speed and Ratio Methods is key to solving Trains and Boats problems without long equations.

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1. The Ratio Method (Constant Distance)

When Distance is same.

  • Rule: S1:S2=a:b    T1:T2=b:aS_1 : S_2 = a : b \implies T_1 : T_2 = b : a.
  • Use for 'Late/Early' problems to find exact time difference units.

Example:

Q: Speed 34th, reaches 20 min late.
Solution: Speed 4:3. Time 3:4. Gap 1u = 20m.
Actual Time (3u) = 60 min.

2. Average Speed

Not (S1+S2)/2(S_1+S_2)/2.

  • Case A (Equal Distances): Harmonic Mean 2xyx+y.
  • Case B (Equal Time): Arithmetic Mean x+y2.
  • General: Total Distance / Total Time.

Example:

Q: Goes 60 kmph, returns 40 kmph.
Solution: 2 imes 60 imes 40100 = 48 kmph.

3. Relative Speed

Moving bodies.

  • Opposite Direction: Add Speeds (S1+S2S_1 + S_2).
  • Same Direction: Subtract Speeds (S1S2S_1 - S_2).
  • Used for Meeting Times and Overtaking.

Example:

Q: A (40) and B (50) move towards each other. Gap 180km.
Solution: Rel Speed = 90. Time = 18090 = 2 hrs.

4. Trains (Length Logic)

Distance is never zero.

  • Crossing Pole: Dist = Train Length (LTL_T).
  • Crossing Platform/Train: Dist = LT+LPL_T + L_P.
  • Speed is Relative Speed if object moves.

Example:

Q: Train (100m) crosses Bridge (200m) in 20s.
Solution: Total Dist 300m. Speed = 30020 = 15 m/s = 54 kmph.

5. Boats & Streams

River flow adds or subtracts.

  • Downstream (Along): B+SB + S.
  • Upstream (Against): BSB - S.
  • Formulas: B=(D+U)/2B = (D+U)/2, S=(DU)/2S = (D-U)/2.

Example:

Q: Down 20 kmph, Up 10 kmph.
Solution: Boat Speed = 20+102 = 15. Stream = 5.

6. Linear Races & Head Starts

Giving a 'start'.

  • Start of distance: A beats B by xx meters.
  • Start of time: A beats B by tt seconds.
  • Dead Heat: Both reach at same time.

Example:

Q: A beats B by 10m in 100m race.
Solution: Ratio Dist A:B = 100:90 = 10:9. Speed Ratio is same.

7. Circular Motion

Meeting on track.

  • First Meeting: L/SrelL / S_{rel}.
  • Meeting at Start: LCM(T1,T2T_1, T_2).
  • Distinct Points: S1/S2S_1/S_2 reduced ratio (a/b)(a/b). Points = a+ba+b (Opp) or ab|a-b| (Same).

Example:

Q: Speeds 3:2, Circular Track. How many distinct meeting points?
Solution: Opposite: 3+2=53+2=5. Same Dir: 32=13-2=1.
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