Direction Sense • Topic 4 of 4
Coded Directions
Symbols redefine directions ('North means East, East means South…') — effectively a rotation of the compass. Replace every stated direction with its coded meaning, redraw the path, then answer.
A coded compass is just a rotated compass
If "North means East, East means South, South means West, West means North", the whole compass has turned 90° clockwise. Build a small lookup and substitute every direction in the question:
| Stated | Actually means |
|---|---|
| North | East |
| East | South |
| South | West |
| West | North |
Apply the code to the whole problem — including the final answer's direction. If a code swaps N↔S and E↔W, that is a 180° flip, so every direction becomes its opposite.
✅ Solved examples
1. If North = East, East = South, South = West, West = North. A man walks 'North'. Actual direction?
He moves East (the coded meaning of North).
2. In the same code, he then turns to "East". Actual direction?
"East" means South — he moves South.
3. In the same code, "South" is actually?
West.
4. The code rotates the compass by how much?
90° clockwise (N→E→S→W→N).
✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed
1. Code: N=E, E=S, S=W, W=N. 'West' is actually?
Look up the key.
—
—
North
2. Same code: walking "South" means going?
S=W.
—
—
West
3. Same code: "North then East" ends facing?
E means S.
—
—
South
4. The rotation amount?
One step clockwise.
—
—
90° clockwise
5. Code N=S, S=N, E=W, W=E is a?
Opposites.
—
—
180° flip
📝 Topic test — 8 questions
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Formula Reference Sheet
This chapter
Grid & turns
| Compass | N up, S down, E right, W left |
|---|---|
| Right turn | N→E→S→W→N (clockwise) |
| Left turn | N→W→S→E→N (anticlockwise) |
| Net displacement | √(net E-W² + net N-S²) |
| Shadow rule | sunrise (E) → shadow West; sunset (W) → shadow East |
SSC reference
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