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smc

geometry senior

Problem

Two opposite sides of a rectangle are each divided into congruent segments, and the endpoints of one segment are joined to the center to form triangle . The other sides are each divided into congruent segments, and the endpoints of one of these segments are joined to the center to form triangle . [See figure for .] What is the ratio of the area of triangle to the area of triangle ?
problem
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
Place the rectangle on a coordinate grid, with diagonal vertices and . Each horizontal segment of the rectangle will have length , while each vertical segment of the rectangle will have length . The center of this rectangle will be . Triangle has a base length of , one of the vertical segments. It has an altitude of , which is the perpendicular distance from the center of the square to the left side of the square. Thus, the area of triangle is . Triangle has a base length of , one of the horizontal segments. It has an altitude of , which is the perpendicular distance from the center of the square to the bottom side of the square. Thus, the area of triangle is . The ratio of areas is , which is answer .
Final answer
B