Free Guide: Speed-Distance-Time Questions in Psychotechnic and Dapar Tests

How to solve motion problems quickly, accurately, and without getting tangled up in unnecessary formulas

Written by Eli Isaak • Phone: 054-5664932 • Ask me on WhatsApp

About Speed-Distance-Time Questions (Motion Problems)

Distance, time, and speed questions are a central and critical component of the quantitative section in psychotechnic and Dapar tests. Many examinees shy away from them due to a feeling of information overload, but in practice, it is a fixed logical structure that recurs.

The key to success under time pressure is full mastery of the golden triangle and creating an organized table. Below are 4 core methods for solving the most common types of questions on the test.

The Golden Triangle of Motion Problems:

Distance (S) = Speed (V) × Time (T)
1
Direct Unknown Finding (Basic Formula Usage)
When two variables out of the three are given (such as speed and time), finding the third variable is done through direct substitution into the basic formula.
Example A: Finding Distance
A cyclist travels at a speed of 20 km/h for 3 hours. What is the distance covered?
  • Given: V = 20, T = 3
  • Formula: S = V × T
  • Calculation: 20 × 3 = 60
Answer: 60 km
Example B: Finding Time
A vehicle covers a distance of 150 km at a constant speed of 50 km/h. How long did the trip take?
  • Given: S = 150, V = 50
  • Formula: T = S / V
  • Calculation: 150 / 50 = 3
Answer: 3 hours
2
Pursuit Motion / Distance Completion (One Object Chasing Another)
Questions where two objects start from the same place (or different places) and move in the same direction. The key is calculating the gap-closing rate (the difference in speeds).
Example A: Catching Up to a Leading Vehicle
A truck sets out and travels at 60 km/h. Two hours later, a car sets out on the same route at 90 km/h. How long will it take the car to catch up to the truck?
  • Speed difference: 90 - 60 = 30 km/h
  • The gap left by the truck: 60 × 2 = 120 km
  • Gap-closing time: 120 / 30 = 4 hours
Answer: 4 hours (from the moment the car started)
Example B: Distance Between Two Vehicles
Two vehicles set out at the same time from the same point in opposite directions. One at 70 km/h and the other at 80 km/h. What will the distance between them be after 3 hours?
  • Combined moving-apart rate: 70 + 80 = 150 km/h
  • Combined distance calculation: 150 × 3 = 450 km
Answer: 450 km
3
Moving Towards Each Other (Meeting from Different Origins)
Two objects set out from two different points towards each other and meet somewhere along the way. The secret is that the sum of their distances equals the total initial distance, and their travel time until meeting is equal.
Example A: Meeting Point Along the Way
The distance between Tel Aviv and Haifa is 120 km. Two vehicles set out simultaneously towards each other; one at 40 km/h and the other at 80 km/h. How long will it take them to meet?
  • Combined approach speed: 40 + 80 = 120 km/h
  • Dividing total distance by combined rate: 120 / 120 = 1
Answer: 1 hour
Example B: Calculating Distance from Origin
Two pedestrians set out towards each other from two points 30 km apart. One walks at 4 km/h and the other at 6 km/h. What is the walking distance of the faster one until they meet?
  • Time until meeting: 30 / (4 + 6) = 3 hours
  • Distance covered by the faster pedestrian: 6 × 3 = 18 km
Answer: 18 km
4
Average Speed Questions (Average Speed on a Double Journey)
Common and tricky exercises where an object travels part of the way at one speed and the second part at another speed. The common mistake is to do a simple arithmetic average – the correct formula is based on total distance divided by total time.
Example A: Round Trip with a Fixed Distance
A person drove from City A to City B at 60 km/h and returned along the exact same route at 40 km/h. What is their average speed for the entire journey?
  • Let's assign an imaginary distance for each direction (e.g., 120 km)
  • Forward time: 120 / 60 = 2 hours
  • Return time: 120 / 40 = 3 hours
  • Total distance: 240 km | Total time: 5 hours
Answer: 240 / 5 = 48 km/h
Example B: Equal Time Parts
A vehicle traveled for 2 hours at 50 km/h and for another 2 hours at 100 km/h. What is the average speed?
  • First distance: 50 × 2 = 100 km
  • Second distance: 100 × 2 = 200 km
  • True average: (100 + 200) / (2 + 2)
Answer: 300 / 4 = 75 km/h

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