Skip to content

Quantitative Aptitude · Direction Tests

Shadow-Based Direction Problems for CA Foundation

Updated 1 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Shadow-based direction problems use the sun's position to find directions. The sun rises in the East and sets in the West, so a shadow points opposite to the sun. Find the sun's side, put the shadow on the opposite side, then use the person's position relative to the shadow to get the facing direction.

Understand Shadow-Based Direction Problems

The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. This is the base of every shadow question. A shadow always falls on the side opposite to the sun, because the object blocks the light.

In the morning (sunrise), the sun is in the East. So shadows point West. In the evening (sunset), the sun is in the West. So shadows point East. At noon the sun is overhead and the shadow is very short, so exam questions avoid noon.

The second part is the person. If a person stands with the shadow in front, the person faces the direction of the shadow. If the shadow is behind, the person faces the sun. If the shadow is to the left or right, the person faces a direction at 90° to the shadow.

To find the facing direction, draw the four directions and put the sun and shadow on them. Then turn the person until the shadow sits where the question says. Questions may also give the shadow direction and ask for the time of day, or give facing and ask for the side of the shadow.

These questions are easy marks in the Logical Reasoning section of Paper 3. They need a clear picture, not heavy calculation.

Key formulas to remember

Sun's position
Sunrise: Sun in East. Sunset: Sun in West
Assume exact East and West unless the question says otherwise.
Shadow rule
Shadow direction = opposite of the sun's direction
Morning shadow points West. Evening shadow points East.
Shadow in front
Shadow in front of person → person faces the shadow's direction
Facing direction equals shadow direction.
Shadow behind
Shadow behind person → person faces the sun
Morning: faces East. Evening: faces West.
Shadow to the right or left
Shadow to right → facing = 90° anticlockwise from shadow direction. Shadow to left → facing = 90° clockwise from shadow direction
Check with a quick sketch. Example: shadow West on the right means facing South.

How to solve Shadow-Based Direction Problems questions

Use the same short method for every shadow question. It takes under a minute once practised.

  1. 1Note the time: sunrise or morning means Sun in East. Sunset or evening means Sun in West.
  2. 2Mark the shadow direction as opposite to the Sun.
  3. 3Draw a cross with N, E, S, W. Place the Sun and the shadow on it.
  4. 4Read where the shadow falls relative to the person: front, back, left or right.
  5. 5Turn the person so the shadow is in that position. Read the direction the person faces.
  6. 6If the question asks for the time or shadow side instead, work backwards from the facing direction.
  7. 7Check the answer against the four options and pick the one that matches.

Quickest way: Sun-behind and sun-in-face shortcut

When to use it: Use it when the question gives the time and one relation of shadow to person, and you must pick from four options quickly.

  1. Remember the shadow is opposite the Sun. So the Sun is on the opposite side of the shadow from the person's point of view.
  2. Shadow in front: person faces the shadow direction. Shadow behind: person faces the Sun.
  3. For a side shadow, imagine the person facing North. Right is East, left is West. Rotate the picture to match the shadow direction.
  4. Eliminate options that are in the same line as the Sun or shadow when the question says the shadow is on a side.
  5. If a diagram takes too long, skip. Each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks.

Common mistakes in Shadow-Based Direction Problems

  • Putting the shadow on the same side as the Sun

    Students rush and think the shadow points toward the Sun.

    Fix: Say it aloud: shadow is away from the Sun. Morning shadow West, evening shadow East.

  • Mixing up sunrise and sunset

    Both words sound alike under pressure.

    Fix: Link rise with East. Sunrise means Sun in East. Sunset means Sun in West.

  • Confusing left and right of the person

    Students use their own left and right while looking at the page, not the person's.

    Fix: Imagine standing as the person and facing the stated direction. Then decide left and right.

  • Assuming shadow in front means facing the Sun

    A wrong picture of where the light comes from.

    Fix: If the shadow is in front, the Sun is behind. The person faces away from the Sun.

  • Using the rule at noon or with an unspecified time

    Students apply the morning rule without reading the time.

    Fix: Use the East or West rule only when sunrise, sunset, morning or evening is stated. Otherwise use the given directions.

Worked examples

Example 1

At sunrise, Ravi stands facing a wall. His shadow falls to his right. Which direction is Ravi facing? Options: (a) North (b) South (c) East (d) West

Show the solution
  1. At sunrise the Sun is in the East.
  2. The shadow is opposite the Sun, so it points West.
  3. The shadow is on Ravi's right, so West is Ravi's right.
  4. If West is on the right, Ravi faces South. Check: facing South, the right hand points West.
  5. So Ravi faces South.

Answer: (b) South

Example 2

At sunset, Meera's shadow falls exactly behind her. Which direction is she facing? Options: (a) North (b) South (c) East (d) West

Show the solution
  1. At sunset the Sun is in the West.
  2. The shadow points East.
  3. The shadow is behind Meera, so she faces the opposite of East.
  4. The opposite of East is West, which is also the Sun's side.
  5. So Meera faces West.

Answer: (d) West

Example 3

In the morning, Arun faces North. On which side of Arun does his shadow fall? Options: (a) Left (b) Right (c) In front (d) Behind

Show the solution
  1. In the morning the Sun is in the East.
  2. The shadow points West.
  3. Arun faces North, so his left hand points West.
  4. The shadow falls to the West, which is Arun's left.
  5. So the shadow is on his left.

Answer: (a) Left

Exam tips

  • Draw the four directions first, every time. Even a rough cross prevents errors.
  • Read the time word carefully: sunrise, morning, evening or sunset decide the whole answer.
  • Check whether the question asks for the shadow direction or the facing direction. They are not the same.
  • These questions are quick. If you cannot picture it in 40 seconds, skip, since wrong answers cost 0.25 marks.
  • Practise left and right turns with a pen on paper until it is automatic.

Practice questions from Direction Tests

Shadow-Based Direction Problems: frequently asked questions

In which direction does a shadow fall in the morning?

In the morning the Sun is in the East, so the shadow falls towards the West. This holds in exam questions unless a different Sun position is given.

In which direction does a shadow fall in the evening?

In the evening the Sun is in the West. The shadow falls towards the East.

How do I find the direction a person faces from a shadow?

First find the shadow direction as opposite to the Sun. Then see where the shadow is relative to the person. Front means facing the shadow direction, behind means facing the Sun, and a side shadow means a 90° turn.

Do I need to worry about noon in shadow questions?

Usually no. At noon the Sun is overhead and the shadow is very short, so exams use sunrise, sunset, morning or evening.