Time, Speed & Distance Questions for RRB NTPC: Download Free PDF

If you are preparing for the RRB NTPC or any other Railway exam, you simply cannot ignore the Mathematics section. In this section, “Time, Speed, and Distance” is the absolute king. The Railway Recruitment Board loves this topic! You can comfortably expect 2 to 3 direct questions from this single chapter in both CBT 1 and CBT 2. Many students feel scared when they see long word problems involving running trains, police catching thieves, or average speeds. They think it requires high-level math. But here is a big secret: this whole chapter runs on just one simple rule. Once you learn the basic trick to balance the units, you can solve these questions in just 10 seconds without any long calculations. To make your preparation super easy, we have explained this topic in simple words and provided real exam-level questions below.

What is Time, Speed & Distance? (Explained in Simple Words)

You do not need to memorize a full book of math formulas to pass this section. This topic is just about basic daily life travel. There is only one Golden Formula you need to remember: Distance = Speed × Time

From this one rule, you can find anything:

• If you want Speed: Speed = Distance / Time
• If you want Time: Time = Distance / Speed

The Biggest Trick of this Chapter: The Unit Game The only place students make a mistake is the “units”. If the distance is in meters, the time MUST be in seconds, and the speed MUST be in meter/second (m/s).

• To convert km/hr into m/s: Multiply the speed by 5/18. (Example: 36 km/hr × 5/18 = 10 m/s).
• To convert m/s into km/hr: Multiply the speed by 18/5.

Train Rule: When a train crosses a pole or a standing man, the distance is only the length of the train. But when a train crosses a platform or a bridge, the total distance is the Length of Train + Length of Platform.

Important Time, Speed & Distance Questions for RRB NTPC

Now you have understood the basic rules. But just reading theory is not enough. To score full marks, you must practice real exam-level questions. Grab a pen and solve these top 10 repeated questions below to test your speed.

Q1. A car travels a distance of 300 km in 5 hours. What is the speed of the car?

(A) 50 km/hr
(B) 60 km/hr
(C) 70 km/hr
(D) 80 km/hr

Answer: (B) 60 km/hr

Explanation: This is a direct question. Speed = Distance / Time.
Speed = 300 / 5 = 60 km/hr.

Q2. Convert the speed of 72 km/hr into meters per second (m/s).

(A) 15 m/s
(B) 20 m/s
(C) 25 m/s
(D) 30 m/s

Answer: (B) 20 m/s

Explanation: To convert km/hr to m/s, simply multiply by 5/18.
72 × (5 / 18) = 4 × 5 = 20 m/s.

Q3. A 200-meter long train is running at a speed of 72 km/hr. How much time will it take to cross an electric pole?

(A) 10 seconds
(B) 12 seconds
(C) 15 seconds
(D) 8 seconds

Answer: (A) 10 seconds

Explanation: First, convert speed into m/s.
72 × 5/18 = 20 m/s.

When crossing a pole, Distance = Length of the train = 200 meters.

Time = Distance / Speed = 200 / 20 = 10 seconds.

Q4. A train 150 meters long is running at 54 km/hr. How much time will it take to cross a platform 150 meters long?

(A) 10 seconds
(B) 15 seconds
(C) 20 seconds
(D) 25 seconds

Answer: (C) 20 seconds

Explanation: Speed in m/s = 54 × 5/18 = 15 m/s.

Total Distance = Length of Train + Length of Platform
= 150 + 150 = 300 meters.

Time = Total Distance / Speed = 300 / 15 = 20 seconds.

Q5. A boy goes to his school at a speed of 3 km/hr and returns to his home at a speed of 2 km/hr. What is his average speed for the whole journey?

(A) 2.4 km/hr
(B) 2.5 km/hr
(C) 5 km/hr
(D) 2.8 km/hr

Answer: (A) 2.4 km/hr

Explanation: When the distance going and coming back is the exact same, use this simple trick:

Average Speed = (2xy) / (x + y)

Average Speed = (2 × 3 × 2) / (3 + 2)
= 12 / 5
= 2.4 km/hr.

Q6. Two trains are moving in opposite directions at 40 km/hr and 50 km/hr. What is their relative speed?

(A) 10 km/hr
(B) 80 km/hr
(C) 90 km/hr
(D) 100 km/hr

Answer: (C) 90 km/hr

Explanation: When two things move towards each other (opposite direction), their speeds are added.

Relative Speed = 40 + 50 = 90 km/hr.

Q7. A policeman spots a thief at a distance of 100 meters. The thief starts running and the policeman chases him. If their speeds are 8 km/hr and 10 km/hr respectively, how long will it take for the police to catch the thief?

(A) 2 minutes
(B) 3 minutes
(C) 4 minutes
(D) 5 minutes

Answer: (B) 3 minutes

Explanation: They are running in the same direction, so speeds are subtracted.

Relative speed = 10 – 8 = 2 km/hr.

Convert to m/s:
2 × 5/18 = 10/18 = 5/9 m/s.

Distance gap = 100 meters.

Time = Distance / Relative Speed
= 100 / (5/9)
= 900 / 5
= 180 seconds
= 3 minutes.

Q8. Walking at 3/4th of his usual speed, a man reaches his office 20 minutes late. What is his usual travel time?

(A) 40 minutes
(B) 60 minutes
(C) 80 minutes
(D) 100 minutes

Answer: (B) 60 minutes

Explanation: A magic trick for such questions:

If new speed is a/b of usual speed, then

Usual Time = (Numerator × Late Time) / Difference between Numerator and Denominator

Usual Time = (3 × 20) / (4 – 3)
= 60 / 1
= 60 minutes.

Q9. The ratio of the speeds of two cars is 3:4. What is the ratio of the time taken by them to cover the same distance?

(A) 3:4
(B) 4:3
(C) 9:16
(D) 16:9

Answer: (B) 4:3

Explanation: Speed and Time are strictly opposite (inversely proportional) to each other.

If speed is fast, time is less.

So, just reverse the ratio.

Time ratio = 4:3.

Q10. A man covers a certain distance by bike at 40 km/hr and reaches 15 minutes late. If he travels at 50 km/hr, he reaches 5 minutes late. Find the distance.

(A) 25 km
(B) 30 km
(C) 33.3 km
(D) 40 km

Answer: (C) 33.3 km

Explanation: Simple formula trick:

Distance = [Product of speeds / Difference of speeds] × Time difference in hours

Speeds are 40 and 50.

Time difference = 15 min late – 5 min late
= 10 minutes.

Convert 10 minutes to hours
= 10/60
= 1/6 hours.

Distance = [(40 × 50) / 10] × (1/6)
= (2000 / 10) × (1/6)
= 200 / 6
= 33.33 km.

5 Simple Tips to Prepare Math for RRB NTPC

You do not need to be a math topper to score full marks. Just play smart. Here are 5 easy and practical tips to cover this topic quickly:

• Always Check the Units First: Before picking up the pen to multiply, look at the question. Is the distance in kilometers and time in seconds? If yes, change the units first! 90% of mistakes happen here.
• Memorize the 18 and 5 Tables: This is the best trick for Railway exams. Keep in mind that 18 km/hr = 5 m/s. So, 36 km/hr = 10 m/s, 54 km/hr = 15 m/s, 72 km/hr = 20 m/s. This will save you huge time in the exam hall.
• Opposite = Plus, Same = Minus: For relative speed questions (like two trains or police-thief), just remember this rhyme. If they are moving in opposite directions, add their speeds. If they are moving in the same direction, subtract them.
• Learn the Ratios: Do not use long x and y equations. If you know how to reverse the ratio of speed to get the ratio of time, you can solve hard questions without writing a single step.
• Practice Previous Year Papers: The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) repeats the exact same math pattern every single year. Solve the previous year’s questions of RRB NTPC, Group D, and ALP. You will see the numbers changing, but the logic remains exactly the same!

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FAQs: Time, Speed & Distance for RRB NTPC Exam

1. Is the Time, Speed, and Distance chapter difficult in RRB NTPC?

No, not at all! The mathematics asked in the RRB NTPC exam checks your basic calculation speed and logic, not high-level engineering math. If your basics are clear, it is very easy.

2. How many questions can I expect from this topic?

You can comfortably expect 2 to 3 direct questions from this single topic in the CBT 1 exam, and even more in the CBT 2 math section.

3. Are “Problems on Trains” a part of this topic?

Yes! Train questions are just a sub-topic of Time, Speed, and Distance. The basic formula (D = S x T) remains exactly the same for trains, cars, or walking humans.

4. What is the fastest trick to convert km/hr into m/s?

Just multiply the speed by 5/18. The easiest way to remember it is using the table of 18 and 5. (18 km/h = 5 m/s, 36 km/h = 10 m/s, 54 km/h = 15 m/s).

5. Do I need to memorize big formulas for Average Speed?

No. You only need to remember one simple trick formula: (2xy) / (x + y). This formula works every time when the travel distance is the same on both sides.

6. Is there a negative marking for wrong math answers?

Yes, there is a strict negative marking of 1/3rd mark for every wrong answer in the RRB NTPC exam. Do not guess blindly. If you are confused about the units, leave the question.