GRE Quant Distance Problems: Tips And Tricks (Bonus Practice Questions)

Tackling distance problems in the GRE quant section can feel like navigating through quicksand. The calculations—whether you’re dealing with average speed, relative speed, or finding the total distance travelled—often trip people up, especially when the clock is ticking. It’s easy to lose focus when mph and km start blending together, and the pressure of the test only amplifies the confusion.

But here’s the thing: these problems don’t have to be your downfall. With a strategic approach, you can crack even the trickiest of “find the distance” questions. In this blog, we’ll break down some practical techniques to simplify math and help you solve these problems faster. By the end, you’ll feel much more confident going into your next quant section. And of course, we’ll top it off with a bonus practice question to get you warmed up.

What Are GRE Quant Distance Problems?

GRE quant distance problems are a big part of the test’s speed and distance section, and they come in many forms. You might face questions about a man traveling between two cities, covering a distance at a speed of 30 mph, or a cyclist who takes 2.5 hours to travel at a speed of 10 mph. The goal is usually to find the total distance, the time taken to complete the trip, or the average speed for the entire journey. These problems are designed to test your understanding of how distance, speed, and time work together.

For example, you might need to figure out the time taken for the first part of a trip when a car is traveling at a speed of 60 mph. Or you could face a scenario where two objects are moving in opposite directions—like trains covering the same distance, one at a speed of 80 mph and the other at 60 mph—and you have to calculate how long it will take for them to meet. 

So, whether it’s finding the remaining distance in a journey, solving speed problems involving different stages, or dealing with quantities like 50 and 75 meters per second, the GRE quant section demands clear thinking and practice with these kinds of problems.

6 GRE Speed Distance Problems Practice Questions

Speed and distance problems are some of the most common types of questions in the GRE quant section. These problems test your ability to apply basic formulas for distance, speed, and time to different scenarios. By practicing these questions, you’ll get better at solving them quickly and accurately—something that’s crucial for a timed test like the GRE.

Below, you’ll find six practice questions to help you sharpen your skills:

1. A cyclist travels at a speed of 15 mph for 2.5 hours. How far did the cyclist travel?

Answer:
Distance = Speed × Time
Distance = 15 mph × 2.5 hours = 37.5 miles

2. A train leaves City A at a speed of 60 mph. Two hours later, a second train leaves City A at a speed of 80 mph. How long will it take for the second train to catch up with the first?

Answer:
Let ttt be the time taken by the second train to catch up.
The first train travels for t+2t + 2t+2 hours.
Distance covered by both trains is the same, so:
60(t+2)=80t60(t + 2) = 80t60(t+2)=80t
60t+120=80t60t + 120 = 80t60t+120=80t
20t=12020t = 12020t=120
t=6t = 6t=6 hours.
So, the second train will catch up in 6 hours.

3. A boat’s speed in still water is 12 mph, and the speed of the stream is 3 mph. How long does it take for the boat to travel 24 miles upstream?

Answer:
Effective speed upstream = Boat’s speed – Stream’s speed
Effective speed = 12 mph – 3 mph = 9 mph
Time = Distance ÷ Speed
Time = 24 miles ÷ 9 mph = 2.67 hours (or approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes)

4. A car travels from City X to City Y at a speed of 50 mph and returns from City Y to City X at a speed of 75 mph. Find the average speed for the entire trip.

Answer:
Let the distance between City X and City Y be ddd.
Time taken to travel from X to Y = d50\frac{d}{50}50d​
Time taken to travel from Y to X = d75\frac{d}{75}75d​
Total distance = 2d2d2d
Total time = d50+d75=5d150\frac{d}{50} + \frac{d}{75} = \frac{5d}{150}50d​+75d​=1505d​
Average speed = Total distance ÷ Total time
Average speed = 2d5d150=25150=60\frac{2d}{\frac{5d}{150}} = \frac{2}{\frac{5}{150}} = 601505d​2d​=1505​2​=60 mph

So, the average speed for the entire trip is 60 mph

5. Two runners, A and B, are 20 miles apart and run towards each other at speeds of 8 mph and 6 mph, respectively. How long will it take them to meet?

Answer:
Relative speed = 8 mph + 6 mph = 14 mph
Time = Distance ÷ Speed
Time = 20 miles ÷ 14 mph = 1.43 hours (or approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes)

6. A man travels 20 km in 4 hours. He covers the first 10 km at a speed of 2.5 km/h. What is his speed for the remaining distance?

Answer:
Time taken for the first part of the journey = 102.5=4\frac{10}{2.5} = 42.510​=4 hours
Total time = 4 hours
Time remaining for the second part of the journey = 4 – 4 = 0 hours
But this seems incorrect since it would suggest no time was left, so let’s redo with updated details.

4 Expert Tips To Solve GRE Quant Questions

So, here’s what you actually need—expert advice to crack GRE quant questions with ease. Whether you’re struggling with algebra, geometry, or those tricky word problems, having a solid strategy can make all the difference.

Here are four expert tips that will help you sharpen your skills and approach the GRE quant section with confidence.

1. Master the Basics of Formulas and Concepts

Before diving into practice questions, ensure you’re familiar with the core formulas, like those for distance, speed, time, and common algebraic equations. Many GRE questions are built around basic concepts, and being comfortable with these will allow you to solve problems more efficiently. Revisit key areas like ratios, percentages, and geometry—these appear frequently in GRE quant.

2. Break Down Complex Problems Into Simpler Parts

Many GRE quant questions are designed to appear more complicated than they actually are. One expert trick is to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts. For example, if a question involves multiple steps, focus on solving one piece at a time. This can help eliminate confusion and keep your calculations on track.

3. Use Estimation When Necessary

In timed exams like the GRE, precision is important, but sometimes estimation can save you valuable minutes. If you’re stuck on a question, try approximating the answer first. This can often help you eliminate wrong answer choices and get you closer to the correct solution without getting bogged down in complicated math.

4. Practice Under Timed Conditions

One of the biggest challenges in the GRE quant section is managing time. Even if you know how to solve the questions, you need to be able to do it quickly. Make sure to practice with a timer to simulate real exam conditions. This will help you gauge how much time you should be spending on each question and avoid rushing through the test.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, GRE quant distance problems are just puzzles waiting to be solved. They might seem tricky, but once you break them down and practice regularly, they start to feel a lot more manageable. The key is to keep things simple—understand the basics, tackle problems step-by-step, and keep an eye on the clock.

Remember, even the toughest problems can be cracked with a calm mind and a strategic approach. Focus on mastering the core concepts, use estimation to your advantage when needed, and most importantly, practice under real exam conditions. You’ve got this! With the right preparation, these problems will become just another hurdle you’re more than capable of overcoming on your path to GRE success.

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