Art of Problem Solving

2005 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 8: Difference between revisions

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== Problem ==
== Problem ==
In the figure, the length of side <math>AB</math> of square <math>ABCD</math> is <math>\sqrt{50}</math> and <math>BE</math>=1. What is the area of the inner square <math>EFGH</math>?
In the figure, the length of side <math>AB</math> of square <math>ABCD</math> is <math>\sqrt{50}</math> and <math>BE=1</math>. What is the area of the inner square <math>EFGH</math>?


[[File:AMC102005Aq.png]]
[[File:AMC102005Aq.png]]

Revision as of 20:34, 19 July 2018

Problem

In the figure, the length of side $AB$ of square $ABCD$ is $\sqrt{50}$ and $BE=1$. What is the area of the inner square $EFGH$?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 25\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 32\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 36\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 40\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 42$

Solution

We see that side $BE$, which we know is 1, is also the shorter leg of one of the four right triangles (which are congruent, I'll not prove this). So, $AH = 1$. Then $HB = HE + BE = HE + 1$, and $HE$ is one of the sides of the square whose area we want to find. So:

\[1^2 + (HE+1)^2=\sqrt{50}^2\]

\[1 + (HE+1)^2=50\]

\[(HE+1)^2=49\]

\[HE+1=7\]

\[HE=6\] So, the area of the square is $6^2=\boxed{36} \Rightarrow \mathrm{(C)}$.

See Also

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