Amc8 V5
Uploaded by
Shuai ChenAmc8 V5
Uploaded by
Shuai ChenAmerican Mathematics Competitions (AMC 8)
Preparation
Volume 5
The American Mathematics Competitions 8 is a 25-question multiple-choice
contest for students in the sixth through eighth grade. Accelerated fourth and fifth
graders can also take part. The AMC 8 is administered in schools in November.
The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) publishes the Achievement
Roll list recognizing students in 6th grade and below who scored 15 or above, and
the Honor Roll list recognizing students who score in the top 5%, and the
Distinguished Honor Roll list recognizing students who score in the top 1%.
This book can be used by 5th to 8th grade students preparing for AMC 8. Each
chapter consists of (1) basic skill and knowledge section with plenty of examples,
(2) about 30 exercise problems, and (3) detailed solutions to all problems.
We would like to thank the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC 8 and 10)
for their mathematical ideas. Many problems (marked by ☆) in this book are
inspired from these tests. We only cited very few problems directly from these
tests for the purpose of comparison with our own solutions.
We wish to thank the following reviewers for their invaluable solutions, insightful
comments, and suggestions for improvements to this book:
Alex Cheng (UT), Jin Cheng (CA), Felix Cui (NE), Albert Hao (CA), Sameer
Khan (VA), Kathy Liu (VA), Priyo Majumdar (LA), Aadith Menon,
Kalyanasundaram Seshadri (CA), Huili Shao (MA), Stephan Xie (TX), Cindy Ye
(AR), Samuel Yoon (VA) and Sophia Zhang (CO).
__________________________________________________________________
Copyright © 2014 by mymathcounts.com
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America
Reproduction of any portion of this book without the written permission of the
authors is strictly prohibited, except as may be expressly permitted by the U.S.
Copyright Act.
ISBN-13: 978-1503019706
ISBN-10: 1503019705
Please contact [email protected] for suggestions, corrections, or
clarifications.
Table of Contents
Chapter 25 Angles and triangles 1
Chapter 26 Rectangles and squares 27
Chapter 27 Similar triangles 55
Chapter 28 Trapezoids 83
Chapter 29 Circles 116
Chapter 30 Volumes 147
Index 173
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
1.BASIC KNOWLEDGE
1.1. Terms
Acute angle: between 0 and 90. 0< a < 90.
Right angle: a = 90
Obtuse angle: between 90 and 180. 90< a < 180.
Straight angle: a = 180
Vertical angles have equal measures. a = b.
Complementary angles
If sum of the measures of two acute angles is 90, the angles are said to be
complementary. a + b = 90.
1
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Supplementary angles
If sum of the measures of two angles is 180, the angles are said to be
supplementary. a + b = 180.
Isosceles triangle
An isosceles triangle is a triangle with at least two congruent sides.
AB = BC. A = C
Equilateral triangle
An equilateral triangle is a triangle having three congruent sides.
AB = BC = CA. A = B = C = 60.
1.2. Relationship of Angles Formed by Parallel Lines
Alternate interior angles 4 = 5.
Alternate exterior angles 1 = 8.
Interior angles on the same sides of transversal 4 + 6 = 180.
Corresponding angles 2 = 6.
2
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
1.3. Angle – Measure – Sum Principles
Theorem 1. The sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle equals the
measure of a straight angle, or 180. A + B + C = 180
Proof:
We draw the line m parallel to BC, the base of the triangle.
So C = x, B = y.
Since A + x + y = 180, A + B + C = 180.
Theorem 2. The measure of each exterior angle of a triangle equals the sum of
the measures of its two remote nonadjacent interior angles.
z = a+b
x=b+c
y= c+a
Proof:
b + y = 180 (1)
a + b + c = 180 (2)
(1) (2): + y (c + a) = 0 y= c+ a
Similarly we can prove x = b + c and z = a + b.
3
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Theorem 3. The sum of the measures of the exterior angles of a triangle equals
360.
x + y + z = 360
Proof:
x= b+c (1)
y=a+c (2)
z=a+b (3)
a + b + c = 180 (4)
(1) + (2) + (3): a + b + c + x + y + z = 540 (5)
Substituting (4) into (5): x + y + z = 360.
Theorem 4. The four angles in the figure below have the following relationship:
D = A +B + C.
Proof:
Extend AD to meet BC at E.
By Theorem 2, D = + C (1)
By Theorem 2, =A +B (2)
Substituting (2) into (1): D = A +B + C.
4
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
2. EXAMPLES
Example 1. If A = 22 and AFG = AGF, Then B + D =
(A) 54 (B) 66 (C) 79 (D) 88 (E) 100
Solution: C.
A + AFG + AGF = 180 (1)
Since AFG = AGF, (1) can be written as
A + 2AFG = 180 (2)
or 2AFG = 180 A = 180 22 = 158.
So AFG = 79.
By Theorem 2, AFG =B +D = 79.
Example 2. The degree measure of angle A is
(A) 20 (B) 30 (C) 35 (D) 40 (E) 45.
Solution: B.
B = 180 105 = 75
By Theorem 2, 115 = C + 40
So C = 115 40 = 75.
By Theorem 1, A + B + C = 180
So A = 180 (B +C) = 180 150 = 30.
5
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Example 3. The degree measure of angles A + B is
(A) 50 (B) 60 (C) 70 (D) 75 (E) 85
Solution: C.
We label the angles as follows.
By the definition of vertical angles, we know that
D = 110.
By Theorem 4, D = A +B + C
110 (A +B +C) = 110 40 (A +B).
Thus A +B = 110 40 = 70.
Example 4. The sum of the measures of angles A, B, C, D, and E in the
accompanying figure is:
A. less than 180o B. 180o C. greater than 180o but less than 360o
D. 360o E . cannot be determined
Solution: B.
Draw line l that is parallel to the side AC.
So 1 = 3, 2 = 4.
We also see that 1 + B + 2 = 180º (1)
In triangle CEF, 3 = 5 + 6.
6
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
In triangle ADG, 4 = 7 + 8.
That is, 1 = 5 + 6 (2)
2 = 7 + 8 (3)
Substituting (2) and (3) into (1): A + B + C + D +
D = 180º.
Example 5. 19. Two angles of an isosceles triangle measure 70 and x. What
is the sum of the all possible values of x ?
(A) 95 (B) 125 (C) 140 (D) 165 (E) 180
Solution: D.
We have the following three cases. So we get x = 55, 40, and 70.
The answer is 55+ 40+ 70= 165.
Example 6. In triangle CAT, we have ACT = ATC and CAT = 40. If TR
bisects ATC, then CRT =
(A) 20 (B) 60 (C) 75 (D) 90 (E) 120.
Solution: C.
Since ACT = ATC and CAT = 40, ACT = ATC =
(180 40)/2 = 70.
Since TR bisects ATC, CTR = 70/2 = 35.
By Theorem 1, CRT +CTR + C = 180
So CRT = 180 (CTR +C) = 180 (35 + 70) = 75.
7
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Example 7. If the complements of angle A and B are complementary, then the
supplements of angles A and B:
A. are congruent B. are supplementary C. are complementary
o o
D. differ by 90 E. add up to 270
Solution: E.
The complements of angle A and B are 90 A and 90 B , respectively.
Since 90 A and 90 B are complements, 90 A + 90 B = 90 A B 90 .
The supplements of angle A and B are 180 A and 180 B , respectively.
180 A + 180 B = 360 ( A B) 360 90 270 º. The answer is E.
Example 8. The measure of an angle for which the measure of the supplement is
four times the measure of the complement is:
A. 20 B. 45 C. 60 D. 75 E. none of these
Solution: C.
Let the angle be x and its complement is y and its supplement is z.
We can write the following equations:
x + y = 90 (1)
x + z =180 (2)
z = 4y (3)
(2) (1): z y =90 (4)
Substituting (3) into (4): ): 4y y = 90 y = 30.
From (1), x = 60.
Example 9. In the figure, 1 = 7x + 10. 5 = 3x and l // m .The measure of 2
equals:
A. 17 B. 51 C. 87 D. 129 E. 139
Solution: B.
Since l // m, 5 = 2.
We see that 1 + 2 = 180º 7x + 10 + 3x = 180º x = 17º.
8
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
2 = 3x = 3 17º = 51º.
Example 10. x, y, and z are the measures of the angles shown. l1//l2. The measure
of x is:
A. 180o y B. 180o z C. 180o z + y
D. 180o + z y E. z + y 180o
Solution: D.
Method 1:
x + u = 180o (1)
y + v = 180o (2)
180o = xu + v + z (3)
(1) + (2) + (3):
x + u + y + v + 180o = 180o + u + v + z
x = 180o + z y.
Method 2:
y = 180o x + z x = 180o + z y.
Example 11. If lines l1 and l2 are parallel, then find the
value of y.
6 1
A. 84 B. 96 C. 90 D. 89 E. none of these
7 7
Solution: B.
3xo = 4xo 28 x = 28o.
y + 3xo = 180o y = 180o 3xo = 180o 3 28o = 96.
Example 12. In the figure l //n, 1 = 100, and 2 = 120.
Find 3.
A. 0o B. 100o C. 120o D. 140o E. 150o
Solution: D.
9
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
As shown in the figure, extend AB to meet line n at C.
A = 180 − 1 = 180 − 100 = 80.
BCD = A = 80.
CBD = 180 − 2 = 180 − 120 = 60.
By Theorem 2, 3 = BCD + CBD = 60 + 80
= 140.
Example 13. In the diagram, MBA, NAC, and OCB are exterior angles of
triangle ABC. Lines TB and CQ intersect at point Q. Ray BT and ray CQ bisect
MBA and OCB respectively. Then the measure
of BQC is:
A. equal to the measure of CAN.
CAN
B. equal to the measure of .
2
CAN
C. equal to the measure of .
3
CAN
D. equal to the measure of .
4
E. none of these.
Solution: B.
We label some angles as in the figure.
By Theorem 3, y + 2u + 2v = 360º (1)
By Theorem 1, u + v + x = 180º (2)
Multiplying (2) by 2: 2u + 2v + 2x = 360º (3)
(1) (3): y = 2x
So the answer is B.
Example 14. 1 + 2 = 180º. 3 = 4. Find 5.
A. 140º B. 145º C. 150º D. 160º E. 165º
10
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Solution: B.
By Theorem 1, 1 = 180º (70º + 40º) = 70º.
By Theorem 2, 1 = 4 + 3 = 70º.
Since 3 = 4, 4 = 70º /2 = 35º.
5 = 180º 4 = 180º 35º = 145º.
Example 15. Given that ABC is a triangle such that AB = AC and A = 50º.
Then B is:
A. 50º B. 55º C. 60º D. 65º E. 70º
Solution: D.
Since AB = AC, B = C = (180º 50º)/2 = 65º.
Example 16. x, y, and z are the measures of the angles shown in the figure. The
sum of y and z in terms of x is:
A.2x B. 90o + x C.180o – x D. 180o − 2x E. 90o − x
Solution: B.
y + z + w = 180 (1)
x + w + 90 = 180 w = 90 x (2)
Substituting (2) into (1): y + z + 90 x = 180
y + z = 90 + x.
11
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Example 17. In ABC, AC = CD and CAB − ABC = 40o . Then BAD
equals:
A.15o B. 20o C. 30o D. 35o E. 40o
Solution: B.
Since AC = CD , and CAD = CDA = x.
By Theorem 2, x = y + z (1)
CAB − ABC = 40o
x + y − z = 40o (2)
Substituting (1) into (2): 2y = 40o y=
20o.
☆Example 18. The measure of angle ABC is 40. AD bisects angle BAC, and DC
bisects angle BCA. The measure of angle ADC is
A. 90o B. 105o C. 110 D. 125.5o E. 130o
Solution: C.
By Theorem 1, A + B + C = 180º
A + C = 180º B = 180º 40º= 140º.
A/2 + C/2 = 140º/2 = 70º.
By Theorem 4, D = A/2 + C/2 +B =
70º + 40º = 110º.
Example 19. In the given figure XR bisects YXS, YR bisects XYS, and S =
a. Express the measure of R in terms of a.
a 180 a 2a 90
A. 90 B. C.
2 3 3
a a 90
D. 180 E.
2 3
12
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Solution: A.
By Theorem 4,, R = YXS/2 + XYS/ 2 + S = (YXS + XYS)/2 + S =
a
(180º S)/2 + S = (180º a)/2 + a = 90 .
2
Example 21. In triangle ABC, AD and BE bisects angles A and B, respectively,
and intersect in point P. The measure of angle ACB is 70o.
The measure of angle APE is:
A. 50o B. 55o C. 60o D. 67
E. cannot be determined.
Solution: B.
Method 1:
2x + 2y = 180o − 70o = 110o (1)
Dividing both sides of (1) by 2: x + y = 55o (2)
By Theorem 2, APE = m = x + y = 55o.
Method 2:
2x + 2y = 180o − 70o = 110o (1)
o
Dividing both sides of (1) by 2: x + y = 55 (2)
By Theorem 4, APB = 70 + x + y = 70 + 55 = 125o.
o o o
APE = m = 180o − 125o = 55o.
Example 22. If the measures of the angles of a triangle are in the ratio 4 : 5 : 6,
what is the measure of the smallest acute angle?
Solution: 48.
The three angles will be 4x, 5x, and 6x.
4x + 5x + 6x = 180° 15x = 180°. x = 12°.
The measure of the smallest acute angle is 4x = 4 × 12 = 48.
13
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
3. PROBLEMS
1
Problem 1. The measure of an angle whose supplement is 2 times that of its
2
complement is:
A. 150o B. 75o C.60 D. 45o E. 30o
Problem 2. The measure of an angle whose complement is one-third that of its
supplement is:
A. 75o B. 45o C. 60o D. 135o E. none of these
Problem 3. In the figure shown, DB is a diameter of the circle with center A. If
CAB = 45, then CDB is:
A. 15º B. 20º C. 22. 5º D. 25º E. 27. 5º
Problem 4. In the given figure AB AD , BD CD , and C = 19, What is the
measure of A?
A. 104 B. 142 C. 76 D. 38 E. none of the
above
Problem 5. In the figure shown, if ABC = 55º, ACB = 45º and CA = DA, then
DCB is:
A.100º B. 95º C. 90º D. 85º E. 80º
14
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Problem 6. The tip on an arrow has the shape as shown. If the ABC marked by
the curved arrow is an acute angle, then the sum of the
interior angles of the quadrilateral ABCD:
A. is less than 180o B. is less than 360o
C. is exactly 360o D. is more than 360o
E. none of the above
Problem 7. In triangle ABC, A = 50 o, C = 80o. CP bisects C and AR
bisects A . What is the measure ofARC ?
A. 105o B. 75o C. 65o D. 40o E. 25o
Problem 8. In the adjacent figure, sides AD and BC are parallel, segments
AC and CD have equal length, ABC = 95o and BAC =
35o. Then ACD is:
A. 80o B.90o C. 100o D. 120o
E. none of the above
Problem 9. If in the figure, ABC = 110o, and C is a right angle, then CDF
equals:
A. 110o B. 120o C. 140o D. 160o E. 170o
15
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Problem 10. In the figure, AB = CB, quadrilaterals ABDE and CBFG are both
rectangles, and BAC = 70. Find DBF.
A.105o B. 110o C. 120o D. 130o E. 140o
Problem 11. In the figure, ABC is equilateral, DAB = 30o, and AE = AD.
Find EDC.
1 1
A. 15o B. 20o C. 12 D. 30o E. 7
2 2
Problem 12. If in ABC, AC = CD and CAB − ABC = 30o, then BAD is:
1
A. 10o B. 15o C. 20o D. 22 E. 30o
2
Problem 13. In the given figure, the sum of the marked angles is:
A. 180o B. 360o C. 540o D. 270o E. cannot be
determined.
16
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Problem 14. If the measures of two angles of a triangle are (45 + x) degrees and
(45 − x) degrees, what is the measure of the third angle?
A. 45o B. 60o C. 90o D. 180o E. 135o
Problem 15. DF and CB intersect at E, DA and CB intersect at C, AB and DF
intersect at F, DF BA , FEC = 160o . A = B. ECA
equals:
A. 20o B. 40o C. 60o D. 70o E. 140o
Problem 16. Find the measure of Q if AB // CD .
A.105o B. 90o C. 85o D. 60o E. 25o
Problem 17. m// n, t and v are transversals intersecting at D; DE bisects the
angle indicated. Determine measure of 1.
A. 30o B. 45o C. 60o D. 90o E. none of these
17
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Problem 18. If BC bisects DBE and 7 = 10, then:
A. 3 4 B. 8 9 C. 11 12
D. A and B E. A, B, C
Problem 19. In the figure shown, AE is parallel to CD and B is a point between
the rays. If the measure of BAE is 100o and the measure of
ABC = 90o, find the measure of BCD.
A. 5o B. 90o C. 100o D. 30o E .10o
Problem 20. What is the measure of an acute angle if twice the measure of its
supplement is 27 more than five times the measure of its complement?
A. 17 B. 23 C. 31 D. 39 E. 47
1
Problem 21. The complement of an angle is of the supplement of that angle.
7
What is the complement?
A. 15o B. 60o C. 75o D.105o E. 120o
Problem 22. Find an angle whose supplement is 6 times the size of its
complement.
180
A.30o B. 36o C. 60o D.72o E.
7
Problem 23. OB bisects AOC. If AOB = 2x + 10 and BOC = 8x − 14, what
is AOC?
A. 22o B. 25o C. 36o D. 40o E. 44o
18
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Problem 24. Twice the measure of the supplement of an angle is added to three
times the measure of the complement of the same angle. The sum is the measure
of an interior angle of a regular nine-sided polygon. What is the measure of the
supplement of the angle?
A.82o B. 86 C. 90o D. 94 E. none of these
Problem 25. OB bisects AOC. If mAOB = 3x + 16 and m BOC = 8x − 14,
then mAOC =
A. 6 B. 20 C. 34 D. 56 E. 68
19
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
4. SOLUTIONS
Problem 1. Solution: E.
Let the angle be x and its complement is y and its supplement is z.
We can write the following equations:
x + y = 90 (1)
x + z =180 (2)
1
z= 2 y (3)
2
(2) (1): z y =90 (4)
1
Substituting (3) into (4): ): 2 y y = 90 y = 60.
2
From (1), x = 30.
Problem 2. Solution: B.
Let the angle be x, its complement be y and its supplement be z.
1
y z 3y z (1)
3
y 90 x (2)
z 180 x (3)
(2) 3: 3 y 3(90 x) 270 3x (4)
Substituting (3) and (4) into (1): 270 3x 180 x . Solving for x: x = 45o.
Problem 3. Solution: C.
Since AD = AC = r, CDB = DCA.
By Theorem 2, CAB = CDB + DCA = 2CDB CDB = 45/2 = 22.5º.
Problem 4. Solution: A.
As shown in the figure, ADB = ABD
By Theorem 2, ADB = 19 2 = 38º.
A = 180º 2 ADB = 180º 2 38º = 104º.
20
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Problem 5. Solution: B.
We know that ABC = 55º, ACB = 45º. So BAC = 180º
(55º + 45º) = 80º.
By Theorem 2, BAC = ADC +ACD.
We are given that and CA = DA. Thus ADC = ACD.
So ACD = 80º/2 = 40º.
DCB = ACB + ACD = 45º + 40º = 90º.
Problem 6. Solution: A.
By Theorem 4, ABC = A +D + C (1)
ABC + = 360º (2)
(2) (1): = 360º (A +D + C)
+ A +D + C = 360º. The answer is C.
Problem 7. Solution: B.
Since AR bisects A, DAC = 50/2 = 25.
Since CP bisects C, DCA = 80/2 = 40.
In ARC, ARC = 180 − (25 + 40 + 40) = 75.
Problem 8. Solution: A.
In ABC, ACB = 180o – (95o + 35o ) = 50o.
Since AD // BC , CAD = ACB = 50o.
Since AC = CD , CAD = CDA = 50o.
In ACD, ACD = 180o – (50o + 50o ) = 80o.
Problem 9. Solution: D.
CBD = 180o 110o = 110o.
CDB = 90o 70o = 20o.
CDF = 180o 20o = 160o.
21
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Problem 10. Solution: E.
Since AB = CB, BCA = 70.
BCA = 70.
ABC = 180o 70o 70o = 40.
DBF = 360o 90o 90o 40o = 140.
Problem 11. Solution: A.
Since DAB = 30o, DAC = 30o.
Since AE = AD, ADE = AED = (180 − 30)o/ 2 = 75 o.
In triangle ECD, by 3.2, 75º = EDC + 60º.
So EDC = 75º 60º = 15º.
Problem 12. Solution: B.
Since AC = CD, and CAD = CDA = x.
By Theorem 2, x = y + z (1)
o
CAB − ABC = 30
x + z − y = 30o (2)
o
Substituting (1) into (2): 2y = 30 y = 15o.
Problem 13. Solution: B.
We label all angles as follows.
We have 1 +4 + 5 = 180o (1)
3 + 6 + 7 = 180o (2)
2 + 8 + 9 = 180o (3)
(1) + (2) + (3):
22
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
4 +5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 1 +2 + 3 = 540o (4)
We see that 1 +2 + 3 = 180o (5)
Substituting (5) into (4): 4 +5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 = 540o − 180o = 360o .
Problem 14. Solution: C.
The third angle is 180o − (45 + x + 45 − x) = 90o .
Problem 15. Solution: B.
Since FEC = 160o, BEF = 180o − 160o = 20o.
In BEF, B = 90o − 20o = 70o.
We are given that A = B. So A = 70o.
In ABC, C= 180o − 70o − 70o = 40o.
Problem 16. Solution: C.
Method 1:
Extend AE to meet CD at F. Since AB // CD , FAB =
BAF = 60o. By 3.2, Q = 25o + 60o = 85o.
Method 2:
Connect AC. Since AB // CD , x + 60 + y + 25o = 180o
x + 60 + y + 25o = 95o (1)
In triangle ACE, Q = 180 (x + y) = 180 95o =
o o
85o.
Problem 17. Solution: B.
We label some angles as shown in the figure.
In triangle ABD, by 3.2, 1 + 2 = 60º + 30º =
90º.
23
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
Since DE bisects the angle indicated, 1 = 2.
1 = 90º/2 = 45º.
Problem 18. Solution: E.
Since 7 = 10, 8 = 9 because they are the
supplements of the two congruent angles.
Since BC bisects DBE, 3 = 4.
Since 3 = 4 and 8 = 9, 13 = 14.
Since 13 = 14, 11 = 12.
So the answer is E.
Problem 19. Solution: E.
Extend AB to meet DC at F.
Since AE is parallel to CD , BAE + CFA = 180o.
So CFA = 180o BAE = 180o 100o = 80o.
In triangle DBC, by 3.2, 90o = BCD + 80o .
BCD = 90o 80o = 10o.
Problem 20. Solution: D.
Let the angle be x and its complement is y and its supplement is z.
We can write the following equations:
x + y = 90 (1)
x + z =180 (2)
2z = 5 y 27 (3)
5 (1) and 2 (2):
5x + 5y = 450 (4)
2x + 2z =360 (5)
(4) (5): 3x 27 = 90 x = 39.
Problem 21. Solution: A.
Let the angle be x and its complement is y and its supplement is z.
24
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
We can write the following equations:
x + y = 90 (1)
x + z =180 (2)
z = 7y (3)
(2) (1): z y = 90 (4)
Substituting (3) into (4): 7y y = 90 y = 15.
Problem 22. Solution: D.
Let the angle be x and its complement is y and its supplement is z.
We can write the following equations:
x + y = 90 (1)
x + z =180 (2)
z = 6y (3)
(2) (1): z y = 90 (4)
Substituting (3) into (4): 6y y = 90 y = 18.
x + 18 = 90 x = 72.
Problem 23. Solution: C.
Since OB bisects AOC, AOB = BOC 2x + 10 = 8x − 14
6x = 24 2x = 8 10x = 40.
AOC= 2x + 10 + 8x − 14 = 10x − 4 = 40 4 = 36º.
Problem 24. Solution: A.
Let the angle be x and its complement is y and its supplement is z.
We can write the following equations:
x + y = 90 (1)
x + z =180 (2)
By 3.9, the measure of an interior angle of a regular nine-sided polygon is
(n 2) 180 (9 2) 180
= 140 .
n 9
So we get 2z + 3y = 140º (3)
25
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 25 Angles and Triangles
3 (1) and 2 (2):
3x + 3y = 270 (4)
2x + 2z =360 (5)
(4) + (5): 5x + 140º = 630 x = 98.
z =180 98 =82.
Problem 25. Solution: E.
Since OB bisects AOC, AOB = BOC 3x + 16 = 8x − 14
5x = 30 x = 6.
AOC= 3x + 16 + 8x − 14 = 11x + 2 = 66 + 2 = 68º.
26
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
1. BASIC KNOWLEDGE
Rectangle: A quadrilateral with four right angles.
Properties of a rectangle:
The diagonals are congruent and bisect each other.
Opposite sides are congruent and parallel.
Square: A quadrilateral with four right angles and four congruent sides.
Property 1.
The rectangle is divided into four rectangles with areas as shown. The following
relationship is true: x u y v
Proof:
We label the figure as follows. We see that
xu y v ac bd ad bc abcd abcd ,
which is true.
Property 2. P is any point inside rectangle ABCD, AP 2 PC 2 BP 2 PD 2 .
Proof:
Draw EF // AB through P.
Draw GH // AD through P.
Let AG = DH = a, BG = CH = b, AE = BF = c, DE = CF =
d.
By Pythagorean Theorem,
AP 2 a 2 c 2
27
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
CP2 b2 d 2
BP 2 b2 c 2
DP2 d 2 a 2
Therefore, AP 2 PC 2 BP 2 PD 2 .
Note: The formula holds even if P is a point outside the rectangle ABCD.
Property 3. In rectangle ABCD, E and F are any two points on BC and CD,
respectively. The following relationship is true:
S ABCD 2SAEF BE DF
Proof:
Let AD = x and AB = y.
We know that S ABCD SABE SADF SECF SAEF .
y BE x DF ( y DF )( x BE )
So xy 2
2
2
SAEF
2 xy y BE x DF ( xy xDF yBE BE DF ) 2SAEF
xy BE DF 2SAEF
S ABCD 2SAEF BE DF
.
The conclusion is also true if ABCD is a parallelogram.
Property 4. P is any point inside rectangle ABCD,
1
SAPD SBPC SAPB S DPC S ABCD .
2
Proof:
Draw EF // AB through P.
AD EP
SAPD (1)
2
BC PF
SBPC (2)
2
28
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
(1) + (2):
AD EP BC PF 1 1 1
SAPD SBPC + AD ( EP PF ) AD DC S ABCD
2 2 2 2 2
1
Similarly, SAPB SDPC + S ABCD .
2
1
Therefore SAPD SBPC SAPB S DBPC S ABCD .
2
2. EXAMPLES
Example 1. A rectangle is divided into four rectangles with areas 45, 25, 15,
and x. Find x.
A. 23 B. 27 C. 30 D. 32 E. none of these
Solution: B.
25x = 15 45 x = 27.
Example 2. Points A, B, C and D are midpoints of the sides of the larger square.
If the larger square has area 2016, what is the area of the
smaller square?
(A) 1005 (B) 1006 (C) 1008 (D) 504 (E) 540
Solution: C.
Divide the larger square into 8 congruent triangles, as shown,
4 of which make up the smaller square. The area of the
smaller square is 4/8 or 1/2 of the area of the larger square,
so the area of the smaller square is equal to 2016/2 = 1008.
29
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Example 3. ABCD is a rectangle and E is the intersection of the two diagonals.
What percent of the total area is the same as the shaded
area?
1
A. 15 B. 20 C. 25 D. 30 E. 33
3
Solution: C.
We see that the two shaded areas have the same area.
So the given figure can be converted in to the figure below.
The answer is then 2/8 = 1/4 = 25%.
Example 4. A point inside a square is positioned so that the distances to the four
vertices are 27, 21, 6 and x units. If x is a whole number, what is the value of x?
A. 15 B. 16 C. 17 D. 18 E. 19
Solution: D.
a 2 c 2 b2 d 2 272 62 212 x 2 x 18 .
Example 5. ABCD is a square with the side length of 1. BD is the diagonal. P is a
2
point on BD. Find SPDC , the area of PDC if S APB .
5
2 3 3 1 3
A. B. C. D. E.
4 6 5 10 10
Solution: D.
1 2
By the property 4, we have SAPB SPDC SPDC .
2 5
30
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
1 2 54 1
Therefore SPDC .
2 5 10 10
Example 6. (2012 AMC problem 25) A square with area 4 is inscribed in a
square with area 5, with one vertex of the smaller square on
each side of the larger square. A vertex of the smaller square
divides a side of the larger square into two segments, one of
length a and the other of length b. What is the value of ab?
1 2 1
A. B. C. D. 1 E. 4
5 5 2
Solution: C.
Method 1 (official solution):
The area of the region inside the larger square and outside the smaller square has
total area 5 − 4 = 1 and is equal to the area of four congruent right triangles, each
with one side of length a and the other of length b. The area of each triangle is
1/4. If ab/2 = 1/4, then ab = 1/2.
Method 2 (our solution):
We know that a 2 b2 4 (1)
and a b 5 (2)
Squaring both side of (2): a 2ab b2 5 4 2ab 5 2ab 5 4 1 .
2
1
Thus ab .
2
Example 7. (2008 AMC problem 23) In square ABCE, AF = 2FE and CD =
2DE. What is the ratio of the area of BFD to the area of
square ABCE ?
(A) 1/6 (B) 2/9 (C) 5/18 (D) 1/3 (E) 7/20
Solution: C.
Method 1 (official solution):
31
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Because the answer is a ratio, it does not depend on the side length of the square.
Let AF = 2 and FE = 1. That means square ABCE has side
length 3 and area 32 = 9 square units. The area of BAF
1
is equal to the area of BCD = 3 2 = 3 square
2
units. Triangle DEF is an isosceles right triangle with
1
leg lengths DE = FE = 1. The area of DEF is 1 1 =
2
1
square units. The area of BFD is equal to the area of the square minus the
2
1
areas of the three right triangles: 9 − (3 + 3 + ) = 5/2. So the ratio of the area of
2
5
5
BFD to the area of square ABCE is 2 .
9 18
Method 2 (our solution):
Because the answer is a ratio, it does
not depend on the side length of the square. Let AF = 2
and FE = 1. That means square ABCE has side length
3 and area 32 = 9 square units.
SBFD AF DC
By Property 3, S ABCD 2SBFD AF DC 1 2
S ABCD S ABCD
SBFD 2 2 S 4 5 S 5
1 2 2 BFD 1 BFD .
S ABCD 9 S ABCD 9 9 S ABCD 18
Example 8. ABCD is a rectangle. E is a point on
BC and F is a point on CD. The areas of the triangles
ABE, ECF, and FDA are 4, 3, and 5, respectively.
What is the area of the triangle AEF?
(A) 4 (B) 6 (C) 7 (D) 8 (E) 10
32
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Solution: D.
Method 1: SFDA 5 , so AD = x, DF=10/x.
SADE 4 , so AB = y, BE = 8/y
Thus CE = x – 8/y and CF = y – 10/x.
Using CE × CF = 6, we have xy + 80/(xy) = 24.
It follows that xy = 20 or 4, but 4 is clearly not feasible in this problem.
Method 2:
Connect AC. Let S AEC x and S CAF y .
We have x 4 y 5 or
x y 1 (1)
The ratio of the areas of 2 triangles with the same height
is equal to the ratio of the bases.
x 4 BC
In ABC and AEC,
x EC
y AD
In ACF and ECF,
3 EC
x4 y
Since AD = BC, (2)
x 3
Solve x and y in (1) and (2): x = 6 and y = 5.
S AEF x y 3 8
Method 3:
In rectangle ABCD, by Property 3, we have:
S ABCD 2SAEF BE DF.
Then: 3 4 5 S 2S BE DF
33
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
BE AB DF AD
12 S
AB AD
2S 2S FDA 8 10
12 S ABE 12 S S 8.
S ABCD 12 S
Example 9. There is a circle inside a rectangle. Please divide the circumference
of the circle and the perimeter of the rectangle each into two
equal parts with only one cut.
Solution:
The diameter cut the circle (center is 1 at point B) into two
equal parts and the diagonals divide the rectangle into two
equal parts (Property 3). By Property 4, any line contains
points A and B will divides the circle and the rectangle into
two congruent parts.
Example 10. The side length of square ABCD is 1. EFGH is a square inscribed
2
in square ABCD. AE = a, AF = b. S EFGH . Find b a .
3
2 2 3 3 3
(A) . (B) . (C) . (D) . (E) .
2 3 2 3 4
Solution: D.
Since AEF is a right triangle, EF2 = AE2 + AF2.
We also know that AEF DHE. So AF = DE.
a b 1 (1)
2 2
a b2 (2)
3
1
(1)2 (2): 2ab (3)
3
1 3
(2) (3): (a b) 2 . Therefore a b .
3 3
34
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Example 11. As shown in the figure, rectangle ABCD is folded along AE such
that D is on F, which is a point on BC. Find CF if AB = 12
cm and BC = 13 cm.
(A) 4 (B) 6 (C) 7 (D) 8 (E) 10
Solution: D.
Since AE is the crease, ADE AFE.
AF = AD = 13.
In right triangle ABF, AF =13, AB = 12, so BF =5.
FC = BC BF = 8.
Example 12. The area of square ABCD is 256. Point F is on AD. Point E is on the
extension of AB. The area of right triangle CEF is 200. Find the value of BE.
(A) 10 (B) 11 (C) 12 (D) 15 (E) 18
Solution: C.
Since ECF = BCD = 90, ECB = FCD.
We also know that BC = CD and CBE = CDF =
90.
Therefore BCE DCF.
Then CE = CF and EFC is an isosceles right triangle.
1
SEFC CE 2 200 .
2
CE2 = 400 and BE CE 2 BC 2 400 256 12 .
Example 13. The sides of unit square ABCD have trisection points X, Y, Z and
W, as shown. If AX:XB = BY:YC = CZ:ZD = DW:WA =
2:1, what is the area of the shaded region? Express your
answer as a common fraction.
1 3 3 2 3
A. B. C. D. E.
4 6 5 5 10
Solution: D.
35
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
2
1
S XBE a
3 So we have b = 8a.
S ABF a b 1
1
1
S ADZ 3 2a b 10a
2
1 1
So we have 10 a = or a
6 60
We also know that the shaded area , A = 1 4(a b) 1 36a .
1 3 2
So A = 1 36 1 .
60 5 5
Example 14. In square ABCD, AC and BD meet at O, angle bisector of CAB
meets BD at F, and meets BC at G. Find the ratio of OF to CG.
2 3 3 1 3
A. B. C. D. E.
4 5 7 2 10
Solution: D.
Method 1:
1
Draw OE//BC, OE = CG. Since 1 = 2, AOF
2
=ABG = 90 and AFO =AGB. Since OE//BC, OEG =AGB. Then
AFO =OEF. It follows that OE = OF OF/CG = 1/2.
Method 2:
Draw OE//AG. CE = EG, GBA = 90, so GAB +AGB =
90. AOB = 90, so OAF + AFO = 90.
Since AG is the angle bisector of CAB, CAG =GAB
90 – CAG = OFA. 90– GAB = AGB OFA
=AGB.
36
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
From parallel lines, GFB =AFO and EOF =GFB. EOF =OEG. So
1
OFGE is an isosceles trapezoid. OF = EG = CG.
2
Method 3:
Draw CNAC. N = CGN 1 = 2, CG =
CN.
Since OF // CN and O is the midpoint of AC, OF =
1 1
CN = CG OF/CG = 1/2.
2 2
Example 15. P is a point inside square ABCD. The distances from P to three
vertices are 1, 2 , and 3, respectively. Find the side
length of the square.
A. 2 2 B. 5 C. 5 D. 2 E. 4
Solution: B.
Let DE = AF = x, DG = CH = y .
FB = EC = m – x, HB = GA = m – y.
PA = a, PB = b, PC = c, a ≤ b, a ≤ c.
We know that PD2 = a2 + c2 b2 , or
PD a 2 c 2 b2 6 .
By Pythagorean Theorem, we have x2 + (m – y)2 = a2 (1)
and x2 + y2 = a2 + c2 b2 (2)
Therefore m2 2mx + a2 + c2 b2 = c2, or 2mx = m2 + a2 b2 (3)
We also have (m – x)2 + y2 = c2 (4)
Considering (2) and (4), we have 2my = m2 + a2 b2 (5)
37
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
(3)2 + (5)2: 4m2 (a 2 c2 b2 ) (m2 a 2 b2 )2 (m2 c 2 b2 )2
1
m4 (a 2 c 2 )m2 [(a 2 b2 )2 (c 2 b2 )2 ] 0.
2
Since a = 1, b = 2 , c = 3, so m4 10m2 25 0 (m2 5)2 0
Solving we get: m 5 .
Example 16. In rectangle ABCD, AP BD at P. BP : PD = 1 : 3. Find AOB if
O is the intersection of two diagonals.
(A) 30 (B) 45 (C) 50 (D) 60 (E) 50
Solution: D.
1
By the property 3, we have: BO BD .
2
1 1
We know that BP : PD = 1 : 3, so BP BD BO PO.
4 2
Since AP BD and AP = AP, RtAPB RtAPO.
Therefore AB = AO AO = BO.
Triangle AOB is an equilateral triangle and AOB = 60.
Example 17. What is the area of the shaded region in the figure shown? Round
your answer to the nearest square centimeter.
(A) 20 (B) 25 (C) 30 (D) 35 (E) 40
Solution: C.
(3 9) 9
The area of triangle ADE is SADE 54
2
Triangle CEF is similar to triangle ADE.
The area of triangle CEF can be obtained as following:
2 2
SCEF 9 3 9
SADE 12 4 16
9 9 243
SCEF SADE 54 = 30.375 30.
16 16 8
38
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Method 2: Triangle CEF is similar to triangle ADE.
ED AD AB ED 3 9 9
CB
CB AB AD 12 4
9
9 (9 )
FE FC 4 243 30
SCEF
2 2 8
Example 18. A rectangle is inscribed in a square such that there
is an isosceles triangle in each corner. The combined area of the
four triangles is 200. Find the length of the rectangle’s diagonal.
A. 20 B. 25 C. 30 D. 35 E. 40
Solution: A.
We label the line segments as shown in the figure.
a2 b2
We are giving that 2 2 200
2 2
2a 2b 400 x y 400
2 2 2 2
So d x 2 y 2 400 20
Example 19. A large square has a smaller square cut from its corner in such a
way that the area of the square removed equals the area of the
remaining region. If x represents the length of a side of the
removed square, and y represents the remaining length, find the
x
ratio .
y
5 12 1 2 8 6( 2 1)
A. B. C. D. E.
2 5 1 3 1
Solution: C.
( x y)2 x 2 x 2 x 2 y 2 2 xy x 2 x 2
y 2 2 xy x 2 0 (1)
39
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
x
Dividing both sides of (1) by y2 and letting = m.
y
2 44
(1) becomes: m2 2m 1 0 m1, 2 1 2 .
2
x
We ignore the negative value and get the answer: 1 2 .
y
Example 20. P is a point inside square ABCD. Find APB if PA:PB:PC = 1:2:3.
(A) 105 (B) 110 (C) 120 (D) 125 (E) 135
Solution: E.
Rotating APB 90 along point B to CPB . Connect PP.
Let PA = k.
BP = BP = 2k, PC = 3k, PC = k.
In BPP, BPP = 90.
So pp' 2 2k .
PP'2 P' C 2 8k 2 k 2 9k 2 .
PP'2 P' C 2 PC 2 9k 2
PPC = 90.
In RtBPP, BPP = BPP = 45
So BPC = BPP + PPC= 135. APB = 135.
40
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
3. PROBLEMS
Problem 1. An isosceles right triangle is removed from each corner of a square
piece of paper, so that a rectangle remains. The removed triangles
are shown as gray in the picture below. Find the sum of the areas
of the triangles cut off if the length of the diagonal d is 20 units.
A. 120 2 B. 140 2 C. 180 D. 200 E. 240
Problem 2. ABCD is a square of area 1. EF and GH area parallel to the
diagonal and divide the square into three regions of equal area.
Find the length of EF .
1 1 3 6 2 3
A. B. C. D. E.
3 2 3 3 3
Problem 3. Find the ratio of the areas of the squares that circumscribe and
inscribe a circle.
4
A. 2 B. C. D. 2 E.
2 2
Problem 4. What is the area of intersection of the two squares shown where P is
the center of the square ABCD ?
A. 2 cm2 B. 2 cm2 C. 2 2 cm2
D. 4 cm2 E. 3 2 cm2
41
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Problem 5. A 9' by 11' table sits in the corner of a square room, as shown. The
owners desire to move the table to the position shown in the second figure. The
side of the room is S feet. What is the smallest
integer value of S for which the table can be moved
as desired without tilting it or taking it apart.
A. 11 B. 12 C. 13 D. 14 E. 15
before after
Problem 6. Given the rectangle ABCD with segment MN as shown, find the area
of the shaded triangles if the area of the rectangle is 100 square units.
1
A. 20 B. 25 C. 30 D. 33 E. none of these
3
Problem 7. The ratio of the area of rectangle A to the area of rectangle B, when
their respective altitudes are in the ratio 2 : 3 and their respective bases in the ratio
3 : 4, is:
A. 1 : 2 B. 1 : 1 C. 2 : 3 D. 1 : 3 E. none of these
Problem 8. Find the ratio of the area of the inner square to the area of the outer
square. The vertices of the inner square intersect the midpoints of the
sides of the outer square.
1 x 2 x2
A. B. C. D.x2 E. none of these
2 2 2
42
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Problem 9. ABCD is a rectangle of area 72 square units. Points E and F trisect
side AD. Let G be the point of intersection of the segments CF
and BE. The area of the quadrilateral ABGF is:
A. cannot be determined uniquely from the given information
B. is 20 square units C. is 21 square units D. is 22 square units
E. is greater than 22 square units
Problem 10. In the figure shown, P is the midpoint of side AB. If the area of
rectangle ABCD is 24, then the area of square PCQD is:
A. 12 B. 18 C. 24 D. 25 E. 30
Problem 11. A point is selected inside a rectangle such that its distance from one
vertex is 11 cm, its distance from the opposite vertex is 12 cm, and its distance
from a third vertex is 3 cm. Its distance, in centimeters, from the fourth vertex is:
A. 20 B. 16 C. 18 D. 14 E. 13
Problem 12. A farmer has sixty meters of fence with which to build a rectangular
animal run as shown for her cows, horses, and pigs. She
wants each type of animal to have the same area. What is
the largest number of square meters that can be enclosed?
A. 112.5 B. 124 C. 128.5 D. 135 E. 136.5
Problem 13. Nine congruent rectangles are placed as shown to form a large
rectangle whose area is 180. The perimeter of this figure
is:
A. 54 B. 55 C. 56 D. 58 E. 59
43
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Problem 14. A rectangle ABCD contains a point P in its interior which is 10
units from A, 11 units from B, and 8 units from D. How far is P
from C ?
A. 81 B. 85 C. 90 D. 96 E. 100
Problem 15. Given a square ABCD with each edge 2 units long and having
midpoints of each edge M, N, O and P as shown. BO and DM
intersect at point X. BP and DN intersect at point Y. What is
the area of quadrilateral BXDY ?
1 2 3 4 5
A. B. C. D. E.
3 3 3 3 3
Problem 16. A rectangle is divided into four parcels as shown. If the areas of
three of the parcels are 24.5, 42, and 56, what is the area of the
fourth one?
A. 73.5 B. 42 C. 48 D.96 E. none of these
Problem 17. A rectangle has a point in its interior that is 5 units from one corner,
8 units from another and 11 units from the third. What is
the distance of the point from the fourth corner?
A. 14 B. 10 C. 4 10 D. 82 E. none of these
Problem 18. In the figure, the segments of length a and b lie on perpendiculars to
the diagonals of a square of side length 2. Find a + b.
44
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
2
A. 2 1 B. 2 C. D. 2 E. 2 1
2
Problem 19. ABCD is a square with AB = s. Point P is an interior point such that
AP, BP, and the distance from P to CD are all equal. Find
this distance.
5 2 2 3 3
A. s B. s C. s D. s E. s
8 3 2 4 2
Problem 20. Inside square ABCD with side of length x, quarter circle arcs with
radius x are drawn using A and B as centers. These arcs intersect at a point E
inside the square. The distance from E to side CD is:
x x x
A. 3 B. (1 3 ) C. ( 3 1)
2 2 2
x
D. (2 3 ) E. none of these
2
Problem 21. If the vertices A, B, and C in the 3 adjacent squares are collinear,
then the value of x is:
A. 50 B. 49/4 C. 53/7 D. 11 E. 28
45
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Problem 22. In the figure, quadrilateral ABCD is a square and M is the midpoint
of DC. The ratio of the area of triangle CEB to the area of quadrilateral AEMD is:
A. 1 : 2 B. 2 : 5 C. 3 : 7 D. 3 : 8 E. 4 : 9
Problem 23. In square ABCD, AD is s centimeters, and M is the midpoint of CD .
What is the ratio of OC to OA? Express your answer as a
common fraction.
Problem 24. An equilateral triangle is inscribed in a square as shown. Find x.
A. 16 + 8 3 B. 8 3 + 8 C. 16 8 3 D. 8 3 8
E. none of these
Problem 25. ABCD is a square with side s. M and N are midpoints of sides DC
and BC respectively. Find the area of AMN.
s2 3 s2 5 s2 2 5s 2 3s 2
A. B. C. D. E.
8 8 2 16 8
46
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
4. SOLUTION
Problem 1. Solution: D.
We label the line segments as shown in the figure.
We are giving that d x 2 y 2 20 . So x 2 y 2 400 .
We know by Pythagorean Theorem that a 2 a 2 x 2 and
b2 b2 y 2 . Thus 2a 2 2b2 400 .
The sum of the areas of the triangles cut off is then
a2 b2
2 2 200 .
2 2
Problem 2. Solution: E.
Since EF//DB, we get AE = AF =a
aa 1
We know that shaded area is 1/3. So we have
2 3
2 4
a2 2a 2
3 3
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangle AEF:
4 4 2 2 3
EF 2 AF 2 AE 2 2a 2 EF .
3 3 3 3
Problem 3. Solution: D.
Let the diameter of the circle be d.
The area of the square that circumscribes the
circle is d2.
The area of the square that inscribes the circle is
x2= d2/2.
d2
The ratio is 2 2 .
d
2
Problem 4. Solution: D.
47
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
The given problem is the same as the following problem as long as P is the center
of the square ABCD.
The answer is then 2 2 = 4.
Problem 5. Solution: E.
The smallest integer value of S is 112 92 202 .
We see that 142 = 196 and 152 = 225. So S must be greater
than 14. 15 is the answer.
Problem 6. Solution: B.
2
The are of the shaded regions is 100 25 .
8
Problem 7. Solution: A.
2x 3 y 1
The ratio of their areas is .
3x 4 y 2
Problem 8. Solution: A.
Let the side length of the outer square be a.
48
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
aa 1
The ratio of their areas is .
2a 2a 2
Problem 9. Solution: C.
Method 1:
We know that CD AD = CB AB = 72.
BC PG
We draw PQ BC. BGC EGF. 3.
EF QG
2
CD AD
CD DF 3
The area of triangle CDF is 24 .
2 2
3
CD AB
CB PG 4
The area of triangle CBG is 27 .
2 2
The solution is 72 24 27 = 21.
Method 2:
2
AB AD
AB AE 3
The area of triangle ABE is 24 .
2 2
1 1
AD AB
EF GQ 3 4
The area of triangle EGF is 3.
2 2
The solution is 24 3 = 21.
Method 3:
2
AB AD
AB AE 3
The area of triangle ABE is 24 .
2 2
We draw several parallel lines as shown in the figure below:
49
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
7 7
The shaded area is SABE 24 21 .
8 8
Problem 10. Solution: C.
As we can see, the shaded regions have the same areas (half of the area of
rectangle ABCD).
So the area of square PCQD is the same as the area of rectangle ABCD, which is
24.
Problem 11. Solution: B.
a 2 c 2 b2 d 2
112 122 32 x 2 x 16 .
Problem 12. Solution: A.
3
4x + 6y = 60 2x + 3y = 30 x 15 y.
2
3 9
A = x 3y = (15 y) 3 y y 2 45 y
2 2
50
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
9 9 225
( y 2 10 y 25 25) ( y 5)2 .
2 2 2
225
The greatest area is 112.5 .
2
Problem 13. Solution: D.
4x
We have 4x = 5y y
5
4x
4x ( x + y) = 180 x(x ) = 45.
5
So x = 5 and y = 4.
We want to find 10x + 2y = 12 5 + 2 4 = 58.
Problem 14. Solution: B.
a 2 c 2 b2 d 2 112 82 102 x 2 x 85 .
Problem 15. Solution: D.
Each of the six colored small triangles has
the same area, which is
1 1 AB AD 1
SABD .
6 6 2 3
The area of quadrilateral BXDY is 4
1 4
.
3 3
Problem 16. Solution: D.
24.5x = 42 56 x = 96.
Problem 17. Solution: C.
52 x 2 82 112 x 4 10 .
51
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Problem 18. Solution: B.
We label the line segments as x and y as shown in the
figure.
We have x 2a and x 2b .
We are given that x + y = 2, or 2a + 2b = 2.
2
So a + b 2.
2
Problem 19. Solution: A.
We extend FP to meet AB at E.
Let AP = x. AE = s/2. EP = s x.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangle AEP:
s
AE 2 EP 2 AP 2 ( ) 2 ( s x) 2 x 2
2
s2 5s 5s
s 2 2sx x 2 x 2 2x x .
4 4 8
Problem 20. Solution: D.
Connect AE. Draw FG AB through E. Let EF = s.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangle AEG:
x
AE 2 EG 2 AG 2 x 2 ( x s) 2 ( ) 2
2
2
x
x 2 x 2 2 xs s 2 4s 2 8xs x 2 0
4
8 x 48 x 2 8 x 4 x 3 2 x 3x
Using the quadratic formula we get: s1, 2 .
2 4 2 4 2
2 x 3x x
Since s < x, we get the answer: s (2 3 ) .
2 2
52
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Problem 21. Solution: B.
CE = x 7.
AD CD 11 x 4
ADC BEC.
BE CE 7 x7
By the proportion property,
11 x 4 x 7
.
7 x7 x
11 x 7
So we have or 11x = 7x + 49 x = 49/4.
7 x
Problem 22. Solution: B.
Method 1:
We assume that the side length of the square is 1.
Since AB/ MC = 1/2, FE/EG = 2/1.
SBCE SBCM SCEM SBCM SCEM
S AEMD SADM SAEM SADM SBCM
1 1 3
9 1
4 2 2 93 6 2
.
1 1 1 3
9 9 1 9 9 3 15 5
4 4 2 2
Method 2:
We connect DF where F is the midpoint of BC. So E is the centroid of triangle
BCD. Six smaller triangles have the same areas. We also see that the area of
triangle AGD is the same as the sum of three smaller triangles. So the ratio is 2/5.
53
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 26 Rectangles and Squares
Problem 23. Solution: 1/2.
We connect DF where F is the midpoint of BC. So O is the
centroid of triangle BCD. CO/OG = 2/1. Thus OC/OA = 2/4
= 1/2.
Problem 24. Solution: C.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangles ECF and ABE:
82 x 2 a 2 (1)
(8 x)2 (8 x)2 a 2 a 2 (8 x) (2)
Substituting (2) into (1):
82 x 2 [ 2 (8 x)]2 x 2 32 x 64 0 (3)
Solving equation (3) using the quadratic formula:
32 322 4 64 32 16 3
x1, 2 .
2 2
32 16 3
We know that x < 8. So x 16 8 3 .
2
Problem 25. Solution: E.
s s 3s 2
S ABCD 2SAMN DM BN s 2 2SAMN SAMN .
2 2 8
54
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
1. BASIC KNOWLEDGE
Similar triangles are triangles whose corresponding angles are congruent and
whose corresponding sides are in proportion to each other. Similar triangles have
the same shape but are not necessarily the same size.
The symbol for “similar” is . The notation ABC A'B'C' is read “triangle
ABC is similar to triangle A-prime B-prime C-prime.”
1.1. Principles of Similar Triangles
Principle 1. (SSS) Corresponding sides (segments) of similar triangles are in
proportion to each other.
a b c
If ABC A1B1C1, then .
a1 b1 c1
a b c
If , then ABC A1B1C1.
a1 b1 c1
Principles 2. (AA) If two angles of one triangle are congruent respectively to two
angles of the other triangle, the two triangles are similar by AA (angle, angle).
Corollary of Principle 2: Two right triangles are similar if they have one congruent
cute angle.
Principles 3. (SAS) If two sides of one triangle are proportional to the
corresponding parts of another triangle, and the included angles are congruent,
the two triangles are similar by SAS (side, angle,
side).
a b
If and = , then two triangles are similar.
c d
55
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
1.2. Important Theorems
Theorem 1. The ratio of the perimeters of two similar figures is:
PABC a b c
.
PA1 B1C1 a1 b1 c1
SABC a b c
The ratio of the areas of two similar figures is: ( )2 ( )2 ( )2 .
SA1 B1C1 a1 b1 c1
Theorem 2. A line parallel to a side of a triangle cuts off a triangle similar to the
given triangle. If DE//BC, then ABC ADE.
Proof:
Since DE //BC, ADE = ABC and AED = ACB.
By the Principle 2 (AA), ADE = ABC.
AD AE DE AD AE AD DB
If ABC AD, then ; ; .
AB AC BC DB EC AE EC
Theorem 3. In ABC, if D is the midpoint of AB, E is the midpoint of AC, then
1
DE//BC and DE BC .
2
Proof:
AD 1 AE 1
We see that , , and A = A.
AB 2 AC 2
By the Principles 3. (SAS), we know that ABC ADE. So ADE = ABC and
AED = ACB. Thus DE//BC.
AD DE 1 1
DE BC .
AB BC 2 2
56
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Theorem 4. In ABC, if D is the midpoint of AB, and DE//BC, then E is the
1
midpoint of AC and DE BC .
2
Theorem 5. If ACB =ADC = 90, then ABC ACD CBD.
AC 2 AB AD (1)
BC 2 AB BD (2)
CD AD BD
2
(3)
CD AB AC BC (4)
Proof:
(1). We separate two similar triangles as follows:
AC AD
AC 2 AB AD (1)
AB AC
(2). We separate two similar triangles as follows:
AB BC
BC 2 AB BD (2)
BC BD
(3). We separate two similar triangles as follows:
57
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
AD CD
CD2 AD BD (3)
CD BD
1
(4). The area of triangle ABC is SABC AC BC
2
1
SABC can also be written as SABC AB CD
2
1 1
AC BC = AB CD CD AB AC BC
2 2
Theorem 6. Given AB//EF//CD. AB = a, CD = b, and EF = c. Then
1 1 1 ab
EF c .
a b c ab
Proof:
c FC
ABC EFC. (1)
a BC
c BF
DCB EFB. (2)
b BC
c c FC BF 1 1 1
(1) + (2): 1 .
a b BC a b c
58
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
2. EXAMPLES
Example 1. Assume BD is parallel to AE in the figure shown. Which of the
following segments corresponds to CD when we are
considering the two similar triangles pictured?
A. BD B. DE C. CE D. CA E. CE and CA
Solution: C.
CD faces CBD. Since CBD = CAE. CE faces CAE. So CE is the corresponding
side of CD.
Example 2: These triangles are similar. Find x .
A. 9 B. 10 C. 15 D. 25 E. 12
Solution: C.
3 2 3 5
We see that . So we have x = 15.
9 6 9 x
Example 3. Triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF as sketched. The perimeter of
triangle DEF is:
A. 6.5 B. 9 C. 6 D. 7.5 E. none of these
Solution: A.
Since triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF,
AB AC 6 12 3
DF .
DF DE DF 3 2
BC AC 8 12
FE 2 .
FE DE FE 3
59
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
3
The perimeter of triangle DEF is 3 2 6.5 .
2
Example 4. In the figure shown, segment AE intersects segment BD at point C. Find
the length of line segment BD if ABC = CDE.
A. 9 B. 10 C. 15 D. 25 E. 5
Solution: D.
By AA, we know that triangle ABC is similar to triangle EDC.
12 x 5
x = 10.
8 x
BD = x + 5 + x = 25.
Example 5. If AB // DE, AB = 5, CE = 8, and DE = 12.5, find the measure of BC .
A. 20 B. 7.8 C. 15 D. 3.2 E. 4
Solution: D.
Since AB // DE, A = D and B = E. ABC DEC
AB and DE are corresponding sides. BC and CE are
corresponding sides.
Since the corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional to each other,
we have:
AB BC 5 BC
BC = 3.2
DE CE 12.5 8
Example 6. If AB AC , DB CB, AB 12 and BC 5, find the measure of DC.
Express your answer as a mixed number.
1 7 29 4 13
A. 2 B. C. 3 D. E.
12 3 12 7
60
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Solution: A.
As shown in the figure, ABC is similar to BDC.
AB BC 12 5
BC DC 5 DC
1
DC = 25/12 = 2 .
12
Example 7. In the following diagram (not necessarily to scale), ABE = ADC ,
AE = 6 , BC = 2, BE = 3 , and CD = 5 . AB + DE is equal to
A. 46/3 B. 112/3 C. 13/2 D. 20 E. none of these
Solution: A.
We separate two triangles and label each segments as shown
in the figure.
We know that ABE = ADC.
5 x2
So x = 8.
3 6
5 y y 40
So y.
3 x 8 3
40 46
AB + DE = 8 + y –6= .
3 3
Example 8. A triangle with sides 9, 12 and 15 is similar to another triangle which has
longest side 25. The area of the larger triangle is:
A. 54 B. 96 C. 105 D. 210 E. 150.
61
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Solution: E.
This is a right triangle with two legs of 9 and 12. The area is 9 12/2 = 54.
Let the area of another triangle be SABC. By the Theorem 1, we have
S ABC 25 25
( ) 2 , or S ABC ( ) 2 54 150 .
54 15 15
Example 9. In right triangle ABC , DE is parallel to AB , CE = 2 cm, and EB = 3
cm. If the area of ∆ABC is 30 cm2, what is the number of
square centimeters in the area of ∆CDE? Express your
answer as a decimal number.
A. 5.4 B. 9.6 C. 4.8 D. 3.3 E. 5.
Solution: C.
Since AB // DE, DCE ACB
For similar figures, the ratio of their areas is the ratio of the square of the sides,
that is,
SDEC 2 2 2 2 4
( ) SDEC ( ) SABC 30 4.8
SABC 3 2 3 2 25
Example 10. A line parallel to the base of a triangle cuts the triangle into two
regions of equal area. This line also cuts the altitude into two parts. Find the ratio
of the two parts of the altitude.
A. 1 : 1 B. 1 : 2 C. 1 : 2 D. 1 : 2 1 E. none of these
Solution: D.
2 2
SABC AD AG GD
2
SAEF AG AG
AG GD GD
2 1 2
AG AG
GD AG 1
2 1 2 1.
AG GD 2 1
62
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Example 11. In the figure, AC = 6 cm, CD = 4 cm, and DE = 3 cm. Find the
number of square centimeters in the area of the
triangle ABC .
1 7 4 16
A. 9 B. 7 C. 8 D. 8 E. 8
12 3 5 25
Solution: E.
Method 1: We know that ABC EDC (CAB = CED and B = D = 90).
We know that CE = 5 (EDC is a 3 – 4 – 5 right triangle).
SABC AC 2 6 6 36 216 16
( ) ( )2 SABC ( )2 SEDC 6 8 .
SEDC CE 5 5 25 25 25
Method 2: We know that CE = 5 (EDC is a 3 – 4 – 5 right triangle).
Since both AB and DE are perpendicular to the same line segment BD, they are
parallel. So ABC EDC (CAB = CED and B = D = 90).
CE CD DE
AC BC AB
CE CD 5 4 24
BC
AC BC 6 BC 5
CE DE 5 3 18
AB
AC AB 6 AB 5
1 1 24 18 16
SABC AB BC 8 .
2 2 5 5 25
Example 12. (2002 AMC 8 problem 20) The area of triangle XYZ is 8 square
inches. Points A and B are midpoints of congruent segments XY and XZ. Altitude
XC bisects YZ. The area (in square
inches) of the shaded region is
1 1 1
A. 1 . B. 2 C. 2 . D. 3. E. 3
2 2 2
63
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Solution: D.
Method 1: (official solution)
Segments AD and BE are drawn perpendicular to Y Z. Segments AB, AC and BC
divide XY Z into four congruent
triangles. Vertical line segments AD, XC
and BE divide each of these in half. Three
of the eight small triangles are shaded, or
3/8 of XY Z. The shaded area is (3/8) (8)
= 3.
Method 2:
Segments AB, AC and BC divide XY Z into four congruent triangles, so the area
of XAB is one-fourth the area of XYZ. That makes the area of trapezoid ABZY
three-fourths the area of XY Z. The shaded area is one-half the area of trapezoid
ABZY , or three-eighths the area of XY Z, and (3/8) (8) = 3.
Method 3 (our method):
SXYC XY 2 2 4
XYC is similar to XAD. The ratio of their areas is ( ) ( )2
SXAD XA 1 1
S XYC 4 4 4
SXAD 1
S XAD 1 S XAD 1
S AYCD SXYC SXAD 4 1 3 .
Example 13. In the figure, BC is parallel to DE . The length of AB is 6, the length
of BD is 4, and the length of AC is 9. What is the length of CE ?
9 27
A. . B. 5 C. 6. D. . E. Cannot be determined.
2 2
Solution: C.
64
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
CE 9 9
By Theorem 2, CE 4 6 .
4 6 6
Example 14. In the sketch, DE//BC and BD is the square of AD. If AC = 21/4 and EC
= 9/2, what is BD ?
A. 16 B. 36 C. 64 D. 144 E. none of these
Solution: B.
AD BD BD BD
By Theorem 2, .
AE EC 21 9 9
4 2 2
9 9
BD 2 2 6 BD = 36.
21 9 3
4 2 4
Example 15. In a right triangle, a perpendicular is dropped from the right angle to
the hypotenuse and the segments of the hypotenuse have lengths of x inches and 4x
inches. If the altitude is 6 inches in length, then x has length in inches, of:
A. 1/3 B. 2/3 C. 3/2 D. 3 E. cannot be determined
Solution: D.
By Theorem 5, CD2 AD BD
62 x 4 x x3
65
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Example 16. AC is a diameter of a circle in which AD is a chord; B is a point on AC
such that DB AC. If AB = 9, and BC = 16, how long is DB?
A. 12 B. 13 C. 14 D. 15 E. 18.
Solution: A.
ADC is a right triangle since it is inscribed in a semicircle.
If a perpendicular line is dropped from the right angle to the
hypotenuse, then the square of its length is the product of
the 2 segments it forms on the hypotenuse.
(DB) 2 =AB BC DB = 9 16 12 .
Example 17. What is length of BC in the right triangle △ABC if AD ⊥ BC ?
10 13 8 13
(A) 26/3 (B) 52 (C) (D) (E) 1/3
3 3
Solution: A.
By the Theorem 5 (3), we have AD 2 CD DB
8
42 CD 6 CD .
3
8 26
BC CD DB 6 .
3 3
Example 18. In the diagram AB//FE//DC, and AB = 2 with CD = 4. Find the length of
EF.
A. 4/3 B. 1 C. 3/4 D. 5/4 E. none of these
Solution: A.
ab 2 4 4
By Theorem 6, EF .
ab 24 3
Example 19. In the figure, PA , QB and RC are each perpendicular to AC .Which
of the following is correct?
66
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Z N Z M N Z M Z M N Z M
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
X M X N Y N Y M Y M N
Solution: E
Z AB Z M
CRA BQA. .
Y AC Y M N
Example 20. What fraction of the area of square ABCD is represented by the area
of DPQ? BP = BA. DP = QP.
1 1 2 2
A. ( 2 1) 2 B. C. D. ( 2 1)2 E.
2 8 2 6
Solution: A.
Since D = D, A = DPQ = 90, DPQ is similar to ABD.
SDPQ DP 2
( ) (1)
SBAD AB
DP 2 AB AB (2)
1
SBAD S ABCD (3)
2
Substituting (2) and (3) into (1):
SDPQ 2 AB AB 2 S 1
( ) DPQ ( 2 1)2 .
1 AB S ABCD 2
S ABCD
2
Example 21. In the unit square, find the distance from E to AD in terms of a and
b, the lengths of DF and AG , respectively.
ab b ab a 2a b
A. B. C. D. E.
ab ab ab ab ab
67
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Solution: A.
The given figure can be simplified into the figure below.
x HD
AGD is similar to HED. (1)
b AD
x AH
DFA is similar to HEA. (2)
a AD
x x HD AH 1 ab
(1) + (2): 1 x .
b a AD 1 1 ab
a b
Example 22. (2000 AMC 10 problem 16) The diagram shows 28 lattice points,
each one unit from its nearest neighbors.
Segment AB meets segment CD at E. Find the
length of segment AE.
4 5 5 5 12 5
A. B. C. D. 2 5
3 3 7
5 65
E.
9
Solution: B.
Method 1 (official solution):
Extend DC to F. Triangle FAE and DBE are
similar with ratio 5 : 4. Thus AE = 5 × AB/9,
AB = 32 62 45 3 5 , and AE =
5( 3 5 )/9 = 5 5 /3
Method 2 (our solution):
Connect FD and CG as shown. Triangle FDE
and GCE are similar with ratio 2 : 1. Thus AF
2
= FG = 12 22 5 . Thus FE = 5 . AE
3
2
= AF + FE = 5 + 5 = 5 5 /3
3
68
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
3. PROBLEMS
Problem 1. If two lines intersect at point P, and two triangles are formed by two
parallels cutting the intersecting lines above and below their intersection P, the
resulting triangles are necessarily:
A. congruent B. similar C. isosceles D. equilateral E. right triangles
Problem 2. A light pole is 30 feet tall. How long is the shadow cast by a woman 6 feet
tall who is standing 8 feet from the pole?
A. 1.6 ft. B. 2 ft. C. 10 ft. D.16 ft. E.3ft.
Problem 3. Right triangles ABC and XYZ are similar, with A corresponding to X, B to
Y, and C to Z. If BC = 9, AC = 21, and YZ = 24, then the length of XZ is:
A. 42 B.63 C. 49 D. 56 E. 72
Problem 4. If ABC − FED, which of the following proportions is not true for this
pair of similar triangles?
AB AC AB BC CB CA DE FD
A. . B. . C. . D. .
FE FD FE ED DE DF CB AC
AB CB
E. .
ED DE
Problem 5. Given: GK // HJ , with lengths as shown. Find the perimeter of HJF.
A. 40. B. 38. C. 35. D. 49. E. 50.
69
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Problem 6. A vertical wall 20 feet high casts a shadow 8 feet wide on level ground. If
Alex is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, how far away from the wall can he stand and still be
entirely in the shade?
A. 2 feet, 4 inches B. 3feet, 9 inches C. 4 feet, 3inches D. 5 feet, 10 inches E. 6 feet,
2 inches
Problem 7. The right triangles in the figure below are similar. Find the value of c.
4 80 40 7
A. 5 65 B. C. 20 D. E.
3 3 7
Problem 8. Chord EF is the perpendicular bisector of chord BC, intersecting it in M.
Between B and M, point U is taken and EU extended meets the
circle at A. Then for any selection of U, as described, EUM is
similar to triangle
A. EFA B. EFC C. ABM D. ABU E. FMC
Problem 9. In XYZ, points M, N , and P are midpoints. If XY = 10, YZ = 15 and XZ =
17, what is the perimeter of MNP ?
2
A. 14 B. 16 C. 10 D. 21 E. cannot be determined
3
70
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Problem 10. In the figure shown angle C is a right angle, line segments AD and DB are
congruent, line segment AC has length 12, line segment AB
has length 20 and DE is perpendicular to AB. Then the area of
quadrilateral ADEC is
1 1
A. 75 B. 58 C. 48 D. 37 E. none of these
2 2
Problem 11. The triangles ABC, CDE, EFG, GHI, IJK in the figure above
and to the right are congruent to each other and are similar
to AKL. If the area of ABC is 4, then the area of AKL is:
A. 25 B. 60 C. 100 D. 120 E. none of these
Problem 12. If ABC is a right triangle, and DE AC. then x equals
A. 8 B. 4 C. 1 D. 3 E. 10
Problem 13. AB is parallel to CD. The value of x is:
A. 6 B. 7 C. 8 D. 9 E. 10
71
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Problem 14. In a triangle with height 10 and base 6 a square is inscribed with a side
along the base of the triangle as shown. The length of a side of the square is:
1 3 1 1
A. 3 B. 3 C. 4 D. 4 E. 4
2 4 4 2
3
Problem 15. In the triangle, BD // AE. BD AE .The ratio of the area of BDC to
8
AEC is:
9 3 6 3 9
A. B. C. 4 D. E.
64 8 4 5 25
Problem 16. If AB is parallel to DE with AC = a, CE = b, and AB = c, then DE is:
ac bc ab a b
A. B. C. D. E.
b a c bc ac
Problem 17. Sides AD and BC of trapezoid ABCD are extended to point E. If AB = 15,
DC = 10, AD = 4, and BC = 5, then DE is:
2
A. 2 B. 4 C. 8 D. 12 E. none of these
3
72
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Problem 18. The base of a triangle is 24 inches. Two lines are drawn parallel to the
base, terminating in the other two sides, and dividing the triangle into three equal
areas. The length of the parallel closer to the base is:
A. 12 3 inches B. 12 6 inches C. 16 inches D. 8 6 inches E. 12 inches
Problem 19. In the figure ABC is a right triangle with legs AB = 6 and AC = 8. A
square is drawn as shown, with a side along AC and
corners on AB and CB. Find the length of the side of the
square.
57
A. 9/2 B. 19 C. D. 120/27 E. 120/37
2
Problem 20. In the diagram AB//FE//DC, and AB = 4 with CD = 8. Find the length of
EF.
A. 4/3 B. 2 C. 8/3 D. 3 E. none of these
Problem 21. If A is the center of the circle through B and C, and DC and DB are
tangents, suppose that AB = 1, BC AD, and AD = 2. Then
AE equals:
3 5 1
A. B. C. 3 D. E. none of these
2 2 3
Problem 22. Suppose you are given isosceles triangle ABC, with perpendiculars AD
and BE drawn to sides BC and AC. You can conclude that ADC
BEC because:
A. AB = AC B. ABC = ACB C. The sides are proportional
D. The triangles have two pairs of congruent angles E. The
altitudes of a triangle are proportional to the sides opposite
73
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Problem 23. The perimeters of two similar figures are 16 and 24 units, respectively.
What is the ratio of their areas?
A. 2 : 3 B. 4 : 9 C. 4 : 6 D. 8 : 12 E. cannot be determined
Problem 24. A line intersects two sides of an equilateral triangle and is parallel to the
third side. If this line divides the triangular region into a trapezoid and a smaller
triangle having equal perimeters, then the ratio of the area of the smaller triangle to
that of the trapezoid is:
A. 9 : 7 B. 3:2 C. 7 : 4 D. 3 : 2 E. 16 : 9
Problem 25. Let ABC and DEF be similar triangles such that AB = 4 and DE = 10.
If the area of ABC = 24, what is the area of DEF?
A. 60 B. 240 C. 150 D. 96 E. 120
Problem 26. In triangle ABC, XY//AB such that the area of triangle CXY is equal to the
area of trapezoid ABYX. CP is an altitude of triangle
ABC. What is the ratio CQ/CP ?
A. 1/ 2 B. 1/2 C. 1 D. 2 E. 2
Problem 27. Let ABC be a triangle with X and Y midpoints of the sides as shown. Let
area of CXY = M, and area trapezoid AXYB = N. How are
M and N related?
A. N = M B.N = 2 M C. N = 2M
D. N = 3M E. N = 4M
Problem 28. An isosceles triangle ABC with point D on AB, has AC = BC = BD and
AD = DC. If AB = 2, find the length of CD.
A. 1 B. 2 C. 5 1 D. 10 1 E. 3 5
74
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
4. SOLUTIONS:
Problem 1. Solution: B.
Since DE//AB, we know that 1 = 2, 3 = 4. We also
know that 5 = 6. We have no information about the sides.
So we can only say that they similar.
Problem 2. Solution: B.
By Principle 2, ABC DBE.
30 8 x 8 8
5 1 4 x = 2.
6 x x x
Problem 3. Solution: D
BC AC 9 21
By Principle 1, XZ = 56.
YZ XZ 24 XZ
Problem 4. Solution: E
AB AC BC
Since ABC − FED, we have .
FE FD ED
We see that E is not correct.
AB FE AB CB
.
CB DE FE DE
Problem 5. Solution: A.
Since GK // HJ , HJF GKF.
9 x3
x = 6.
4 x2
By Theorem 1, The ratio of the perimeters of two similar figures is:
PHJF 9 x 3 18
2 PHJF 2 PGKF 2(9 7 4) 40 .
PGKF 9 9
75
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Problem 6. Solution: D.
By Principle 2, ABC DBE.
20 8 35
x 5' 10' ' .
5 8 x 6
5
12
Problem 7. Solution: E.
For the first triangle, another leg is (2a)2 152 . Since two triangles are similar,
15 (2a) 2 152 9 (2a) 2 152 30 7
a .
10 a 4 a2 7
40 7
By Pythagorean Theorem, c (a)2 102
7
Problem 8. Solution: A.
Connect AF. UEM = FEA. Since EF is the perpendicular
bisector of chord BC, EF is the diameter of the circle. So UME
= FAE = 90. Therefore EUM is similar to EFA.
Problem 9. Solution: D
Since MN are midpoints, MN// XZ. XYZ is similar to MYN. By Theorem 1. The
1
XY
PMNP MY 2 1
ratio of the perimeters of two similar figures is:
PXYZ XY XY 2
1 1
PMNP PXYZ (10 15 17) 21 .
2 2
Problem 10. Solution: B.
ABC is a 12-16-20 right triangle. So CB = 16. We also see that ABC is similar to
EBD.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
By Theorem 1. the ratio of the areas of two similar figures is:
SEBD DB 2 10 25 25 25 1 75
( ) ( )2 SEBD SABC ( AC BC ) .
SABC CB 16 64 64 64 2 2
1 75 1
The area of quadrilateral ADEC is SABC SEBD AC BC 58 .
2 2 2
Problem 11. Solution: C.
ABC is similar to AKL. By Theorem 1. the ratio of the areas of two similar
S AK 2 5
figures is: AKL ( ) ( ) 2 25 SAKL 25SABC 25 4 100 .
SABC AC 1
Problem 12. Solution: A
CA AB 12 6
ABC is similar to DEC. x = 8.
CD DE 12 x 2
Problem 13. Solution: D.
Since AB is parallel to CD, ABE is similar to DCE.
x 6 3
4 x 63 3x
21 x 8 4
x = 9.
Problem 14. Solution: B.
We draw CG, the height of the triangle to meet DE at F and AB at
G. Since AB is parallel to DE, ABC is similar to DEC.
AB CG 6 10 16 8 30 15 3
x 3 .
DE CF x 10 x 10 5 8 4 4
Problem 15. Solution: A
Since BD // AE, BDC is similar to AEC.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
2 2
BD 3 9
The ratio of the area of BDC to AEC is .
AE 8 64
Problem 16. Solution: B.
Since AB is parallel to DE, ABC is similar to EDC.
AB AC c a bc
DE .
DE CE DE b a
Problem 17. Solution: C.
Since ABCD is a trapezoid, AB is parallel to DC.
Thus ABE is similar to DCE.
AB AE 15 4 DE 3 4 1 4
1
DC DE 10 DE 2 DE 2 DE
DE 8 .
Problem 18. Solution: D.
2 2
SABC AB 3 24
SGHC GH 2 GH
2 23
GH 24 24 8 6.
3 3 3
Problem 19. Solution: E.
Method 1:
In ABC, AB =6, AC =8, and BC =10.
Since ED//FG, AED ABC
AE AB AE 6 3 3
AE x
ED BC x 10 5 5
AD AC AD 8 4 4
AD x
ED BC x 10 5 5
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Draw AH BC. AH meets ED at K.
AB AC BC AH AB AC 6 8 24
Since SABC , AH
2 2 BC 10 5
3 4 24
x x x ( x)
AE AD ED AK
Since SAED , we have 5 5 5
2 2 2 2
3 4 24 120
x x . Solve for x: x .
5 5 5 37
Method 2:
In ABC, AB =6, AC =8, BC =10.
Since ED//BC, AED ABC
AE AB AE 6 3 3
AE x
ED BC x 10 5 5
Draw AH BC. AH meets ED at K.
AB AC BC AH AB AC 6 8 24
Since SABC , AH
2 2 BC 10 5
AE AK
Since EK//BH, AEK ABH, .
AB AH
3 24
x x
5 5 x 24 24
x.
6 24 10 5 5
5
120
Solve for x: x .
37
Method 3:
Theorem: Square DEFG inscribes in ABC, A =
90. If AB =a, AC =b, then
BF : FG : GC a 2 : ab : b2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
In our case, AB =6, AC =8, and BC =10.
BF : FG : GC AB 2 : AB AC : AC 2 62 : 6 8 : 82
68 48 120
FG 2 BC 10 .
6 68 8 2
148 37
Problem 20. Solution: C.
ab 48 8
By Theorem 6, EF .
a b 48 3
Problem 21. Solution: E.
We know that B is the tangent point. So BD AB.
1
By Theorem 5, AB 2 AD AE 12 2 AE AE .
2
Problem 22. Solution: D.
We see that each triangle has the angle C and has a right angle. So D is the correct
answer.
Problem 23. Solution: B.
By Theorem 1, we have
PABC a
(1)
PA1 B1C1 a1
SABC a
( )2 (2)
SA1 B1C1 a1
2
P
Squaring both sides of (1): ABC ( a )2 (3)
PA B C a1
111
2
S P
So we get ABC ABC ( 16 ) 2 ( 2 ) 2 4 .
S A1 B1C1 PA B C 24 3 9
111
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
Problem 24. Solution: A.
We draw the figure. Since DE//AB and ABC is an
equilateral triangle, CD = CE = DE.
Since DEC and ABED have the same perimeter, we get
3a
3x = a – x + x + a – x + a x .
4
S DEC x 9 SDEC SDEC 9
( )2
S ABC a 16 SABC SDEC S ABDE 16
SDEC S ABDE 16 S ABDE 16 S ABDE 7
1
SDEC 9 SDEC 9 SDEC 9
SDEC 9
.
S ABDE 7
Problem 25. Solution: C.
By Theorem 1, we have
SDEF 10 25 25
( )2 SDEF SABC 25 6 150 .
SABC 4 4 4
Problem 26. Solution: A.
SXYC CQ 2 CQ 2 1 CQ 1 1
( ) ( ) .
SABC CP CP 2 CP 2 2
Problem 27. Solution: D.
SXYC SXYC 1
( )2
SABC SXYCC S ABYX 2
SXYC 1
SXYC S ABYX 4
SXYC S ABYX
4.
SXYC
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 27 Similar Triangles
S ABYX S
1 4 ABYX 3 N 3M .
SXYC S XYC
Problem 28. Solution: E
Let x = CD.
Since ΔABC ~ ΔABC ⇒ CD : AC = AC : AB ⇒ 2x = (AC)2 .
AD + BD = AB ⇒ x + AC = 2 ⇒ 2x = (2 – x)2 ⇒ x2 – 6x + 4 = 0
⇒ x = 3 5 .
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
1.BASIC KNOWLEDGE
A trapezoid is a quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides.
As shown in the figure, AB//CD, AB and DC are called the bases, h is called the
height, and AC and BD are called the diagonals.
AB AE BE
ABE CDE
DC CE DE
The base angles of an isosceles trapezoid are congruent. If the base angles of a
trapezoid are congruent, the trapezoid is isosceles.
AD = BC, AC = BD, DAB = CBA. DCB = CDA.
DAB + DCB = DBA + CDA = 180.
Properties
Property 1: In trapezoid ABCD, sides AD and BC are parallel to each other.
If AD = a, BC = b, and AF = h, then S, the area of the trapezoid, is
ab
S h (1.1)
2
Proof:
Method 1:
Connect AC.
ah
S ADC
2
bh
S BCA
2
(1) + (2):
bh ah a b
S S ADC + S BCA h.
2 2 2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Method 2:
Connect FD.
1 1 1
S ABF BF AF ; S FAD AD AF ; S FDC FC AF
2 2 2
1 1 1
S ABCD SABF SFAD SFDC BF AF AD AF FC AF
2 2 2
1 1 1
( BF AD FC ) AF ( AD BC ) AF (a b)h
2 2 2
Method 3:
Draw DE BC at E. AFED is a rectangle.
S AFED FE AF
1
S ABF BF AF
2
1
S DEC EC DE
2
1 1
S ABCD SABF S AFED S DECC
BF AF FE AF EC AF
2 2
1 1 1
( BF 2FE EC ) AF ( AD BC ) AF (a b)h
2 2 2
Property 2: The median of a trapezoid, the segment joining the midpoints of the
non-parallel sides, is parallel to each of the parallel sides, and has a measure equal
to one-half of the sum of their measures.
For any trapezoid ABCD, the following relationship is
1
true: EF ( AB CD) (1.2)
2
E and F are the midpoints of AD and BC, respectively.
Proof:
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
We know that E and F are midpoints of AD and BC,
respectively.
DE CF
It follows that , which means that EF//AB.
EA FB
Connect AC. AC meets EF at M, where M is the midpoint
of AC.
1
In triangle ABC, we have MF AB .
2
1 1
Similarly, we have EM CD . Therefore EF MF EM ( AB CD) .
2 2
Property 3: In trapezoid ABCD, the following relationship is true:
1
GH ( BC AD ) (1.3)
2
G and H are the midpoints of the diagonals AC and BD,
respectively.
Proof:
Since ABCD is a trapezoid, AD//BC, and E and F are the midpoints of AB and
DC, respectively.
1 1 1
So EF ( AD BC ) AD BC and AD//EF//BC.
2 2 2
Therefore in triangle BAD, BG = GD.
In CDA, CH = HA.
1 1
Therefore, EG AD, HF AD and
2 2
1 1 1 1 1
GH EF EG HF AD BC AD AD ( BC AD ) .
2 2 2 2 2
Property 4: The measure of the segment passing
through the point of intersection of the diagonals of a
trapezoid and parallel to the bases with its endpoints on
the legs, is the harmonic mean between the measures of
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
the parallel sides. The harmonic mean of two numbers is defined as the reciprocal
of the average of the reciprocals of two numbers.
2ab
MN (1.4)
ab
Proof:
In trapezoid ABCD, AD//BC and MN//BC. Let AD = a, BC = b.
a OD
Since ADO CBO, we have .
b OB
Then we can have:
a OD b BD OD BD
1
b BD OD a OD OD
b a BD OD a
(1)
a OD BD a b
OB b
Similarly we have (2)
BD a b
BC BD
Since BCD OND, it follows that .
ON OD
OD b
Then ON BC a (3)
BD ab
BD AD
Since ADB BOM, we have .
BO MO
BO a
Then MO AD b (4)
BD ab
ab ab 2ab
(3) + (4): MN ON MO .
ab ab
Property 5: In trapezoid ABCD, with AB//CD, let
SABO m2 , SDOC n2 . the following relationship of
areas is true: S ABCD (m n) 2 (1.5)
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Proof:
AO 2 S AOB m 2
Since ABO CDO,
OC 2 S COD n 2
AO m
Simplifying yields .
OC n
AO S AOB
We also know that , so SCOB mn .
OC S COB
Since SAOD SCOB , S AOD mn .
Therefore S ABCD m 2 mn mn n 2 m 2 2mn n 2 (m n) 2 .
Property 6: For any trapezoid ABCD, the following relationship of areas is true:
SAOD S ab (1.6)
Proof:
From (2.4), we have: S ABCD (m n)2 ( a b )2
Or 2S a b ( a b )2
2S ( a b )2 a b a b 2 ab a b S 2 ab .
Property 7: In trapezoid ABCD, the following relationship is true:
BC 2 EF 2 EF 2 AD 2 (1.7)
Proof:
Extend BA and CD to meet at P. Since AD//EF,
PAD PEF.
S S
We have PAD2 PEF2 .
AD EF
S S S
Similarly, we have PEF2 PBC2 PAD2 k .
EF BC AD
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
So S PAD k AD 2
S PEF k EF 2 S ABC k BC 2
Since S ADFE S EFCB , S PEF S PAD S PBC S PEF .
Or k EF 2 k AD 2 k BC 2 k EF 2 .
Dividing each term by k yields AD 2 BC 2 2EF 2
or BC 2 EF 2 EF 2 AD 2 .
Property 8: In isosceles trapezoid ABCD, the following relationship is true:
BD 2 AD 2 AB CD (1.8)
Proof:
Draw DF//BC to meet AB at F.
BCDF is a parallelogram and AFD is an isosceles triangle, so
BF = DC, BC = DF = AD.
Draw DEAB at E.
By the Pythagorean Theorem,
BD 2 BE 2 DE2 and AD 2 DE2 AE 2 .
Therefore BD 2 DE2 ( AB AE )2
DE2 AB 2 AE 2 2 AB AE
DE2 AE 2 AB( AB 2 AE )
AD 2 AB( AB AF ) AD 2 AB FB AD 2 AB CD .
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
2. EXAMPLES
Example 1. (2007 AMC 8) In trapezoid ABCD, AD is perpendicular to DC,
AD = AB = 3, and DC = 6. In addition, E is on DC, and BE is parallel to AD. Find
the area of BEC.
(A) 3 (B) 4.5 (C) 6 (D) 9 (E) 18
Solution: B.
Method 1:
Note that ABED is a square with side 3.
Subtract DE from DC, to find that EC,
the base of BEC, has length 3. The area
of BEC is 3 × 3/2 = 4.5.
Method 2:
The area of the BEC is the area of the trapezoid ABCD minus the area of the
square ABED. The area of BEC is (3 + 6)3/2 32 = 13.5 9 = 4.5.
Example 2. (2005 AMC 8) What is the perimeter of trapezoid ABCD?
(A) 180 (B) 188 (C) 196 (D) 200 (E) 204
Solution: A.
Method 1 (official solution):
By the Pythagorean Theorem, AE =
302 242 324 18 .
Also CF = 24 and FD = 252 242 49 7 .
The perimeter of the trapezoid is 50 + 30 + 18 +
50 + 7 + 25 = 180.
Method 2:
AEB is a 3 × 6, 4 × 6, 5 × 6 right triangle.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
CDF is a 7 – 24 – 25 right triangle. EF = BC = 50. So the perimeter of the
trapezoid is 50 + 30 + 18 + 50 + 7 + 25 = 180.
Example 3. (2003 AMC 8 problem 21) The area of trapezoid ABCD is 164
cm2. The altitude is 8 cm, AB is 10 cm,
and CD is 17 cm. What is BC, in
centimeters?
(A) 9 (B) 10 (C) 12 (D) 15 (E) 20
Solution: B.
Method 1:
Label the feet of the altitudes from B and C as E and F respectively.
Considering right triangles AEB and DFC, AE = 102 82 36 6 cm,
and FD = 172 82 225 15 cm. So the area of AEB is (6)(8)/2 = 24 cm2,
and the area of DFC is (15)(8)/2 = 60
cm2. Rectangle BCFE has area 164 −
(24 + 60) = 80 cm2. Because BE = CF =
8 cm, it follows that BC = 10 cm.
Method 2:
Let BC = EF = x. From the first solution we know that AE = 6 and FD = 15.
Therefore, AD = x + 21, and the area of the trapezoid ABCD is
x x 21
8 164 4(2 x 21) 164 2 x 21 41 2 x 20 x 10 .
2
Example 4. In trapezoid ABCD, AD =15, AB = 50, and BC=20. DC – AB is a
positive integer. What is the area of the trapezoid?
(A) 710 (B) 720 (C) 730 (D)740 (E) 750.
Solution: E.
Let E and F be the feet of the perpendiculars from A
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
and B to DC.
In right AED, 152 − DE2 = x2 152 − y2 = x2 (1)
In right BFC, 20 − FC = x
2 2 2 2 2
20 − z = x 2
(2)
2 2 2 2
From (1) and (2) we get: 15 − y = 20 − z
z2 − y2 = 202 −152 (z − y)(z + y) = 175 = 1 175 = 5 35 =7 25 (3)
We see that DC – AB = z + y is an integer. So (z − y) must also be an integer.
From (3), we get
z–y=1
z + y = 175
z−y=5
z + y = 35
z–y=7
z + y 25
Only the last system of equations give the correct solutions with y = 9 and z = 16.
Substituting y = 9 into (1): x = 12.
DC = DE + EF + FC = 9 + 50 + 16 = 75. Then the area of trapezoid is (AB + DC)
·AE/ 2 = (50 + 75) ·12/2 = 125 · 6 = 750.
Example 5. Let ABCD be a trapezoid with the measure of base AB three times
that of base DC, and let E be the point of intersection of diagonals. If the measure
of diagonal AC is 16, find the length of segment EC.
A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6 E. 8.
Solution: B.
AB AE
We know that ABE CDE
DC CE
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
3x 16 CE
CE 4 .
x CE
Example 6. If ABCD is an isosceles trapezoid and BAD 80 , what is the
measure of BCD ?
A. 100 B. 105 C. 110 D. 115 E. 120.
Solution: A.
Since ABCD is an isosceles trapezoid, BCD + BAD = 180.
Thus BCD = 180 − BAD = 180 − 80 = 100.
Example 7. Refer to the given trapezoid. Find the difference when the area is
subtracted from the perimeter.
A. 32 B. 17 218 C. 4 2
D. 16 2 32 E. 52 2 32
Solution: C.
We draw the height as shown in the figure. We see that triangle ABC is an
isosceles right triangle with the sides of 2-2- 2 2 .
6 10
So the height is 2 and the area is 2 16 .
2
The perimeter is 10 + 6 + 4 2 = 16 + 4 2 .
The difference is 16 + 4 2 − 16 = 4 2 .
Example 8. Find the number of square centimeters in the area of the isosceles
trapezoid whose parallel sides measure 9 cm and 15 cm and
whose non-parallel sides measures 5 cm.
A. 27 B. 35 C. 48 D. 49 E. 50.
Solution: C.
We draw the perpendiculars to AD as shown in the figure.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
We see that triangle CDE is a 3-4-5 right triangle. So CE = 4.
9 15
The area of the isosceles trapezoid is 4 48 .
2
Example 9. The height of a trapezoid is 11 cm and one of its bases measures
32cm. If the area of the trapezoid is 649 cm2, what is the measure in centimeters
of the other base?
A. 70 B. 76 C. 80 D. 86 E. 69.
Solution: C.
1
Let b be the measure in centimeters of the other base. S (a b)h
2
1
649 (32 b) 11 b 86 .
2
Example 10. Given trapezoid ABCD with the measure of D (in degrees)
equals 45, AD 8 2 , AB 4, and BC = 10. Find the area of
the trapezoid.
A. 80 B. 82 C. 84 D. 88 E. 90.
Solution: D.
We draw the heights of the trapezoid as shown. Triangle
ADE is a 45-45-90 right triangle so DE = AE = 8.
Triangle BCF is a 6-8-10 right triangle so FC = 6.
1 1
S (a b)h (4 18)8 88 .
2 2
Example 11. The measure of one of the smaller base angles of an isosceles
trapezoid is 60. The shorter base is 5 inches long and the
altitude is 2 3 inches long. What is the number of inches in
the perimeter of the trapezoid?
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
A. 20 B. 22 C. 26 D. 30 E. 35.
Solution: B.
From the figure we know that triangle ADE is a 30-60-90 right triangle so DE =
2 and AD = 4.
So the perimeter is 5 + 4 2 + 5 + 2 + 2 = 22.
Example 12. In trapezoid ABCD with bases AB and CD, we have AB = 52, BC =
12, CD = 39, and DA = 5. What is the area of ABCD?
A. 210 B. 220 C. 230 D. 240 E. 250.
Solution: A.
By the Pythagorean Theorem, we have:
h2 52 x 2 122 y 2
y 2 x 2 122 52 119 (1)
We know that y + x = 52 39 = 13. (2)
Therefore (1) becomes ( y x)( y x) 119
119
13( y x) 119 yx (3)
13
25
Solving the system of equations (2) and (3), we get x .
13
5 60
Therefore h2 52 x 2 25 h .
13 13
39 52 60
The area of ABCD is then 210 .
2 13
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Example 13. The measures of the bases of trapezoid ABCD are 15 and 9, and the
measure of the altitude is 4. Legs DA and CB are
extended to meet at E. If F is the midpoint of AD, and G
is the midpoint of BC, find the area of FGE.
A. 40 B. 42 C. 43 D. 44 E. 48.
Solution: E.
Method 1: FG is the median of trapezoid ABCD, and
15 9 EJ FG
FG 12 Since EFG EDC, .
2 EH DC
1 EJ 12
KH = 4 and HJ KH 2 . Therefore, and EJ = 8.
2 EJ 2 15
1 1
Hence, the area of EFG ( FG )( EJ ) (12)(8) 48.
2 2
Method 2:
Since EFG EDC,
Area of EFG ( FG ) 2 (12)2 16
.
Area of EDC ( DC) 2 (15)2 25
1 1
( )( FG )( EJ ) ( )(12)( EJ )
16
Thus, 2 2 .
1 1 25
( )( DC)( EH ) ( )(15)( EJ 2)
2 2
Therefore, EJ = 8, and the area of EFG = 48.
Example 14. Given trapezoid ABCD with AB//DC. CE is the angle bisector of
BCD. CE AD. DE = 2AE. CE cuts the trapezoid ABCD into
two parts of areas S1 and S2. If S1 = 1, find S2.
A. 3/8 B. 5/8 C. 7/8 D. 1 E. 1/4.
Solution: D.
Extend CB and DA to meet at F. Since CE AD and CE is the
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
angle bisector of BCD, CE divides CFD into two congruent parts. Thus CFD
is then an isosceles triangle and CF = CD. Since CEDF, CE is the angle bisector
of BCD, and CE is also the median on DF,
SCEF SCDE .
Because DE = EF, DE = 2AE, so
1 1
EA AF FD. FB FC .
4 4
1 1 1 1
Thus SFBA SFAC SFEC S1 .
4 8 8 8
1 7
S2 S SFBA S1 2 1 .
8 8
Example 15. In trapezoid ABCD, F is the midpoint of AD and G is the midpoint
of BC . If FG = 9 and DH = 6, then the area of the
trapezoid is:
A. 78 B. 96 C. 72 D. 192 E. 54
Solution: E.
1 1
By Property 2, FG ( AB CD) 9 ( AB CD) (1)
2 2
1 1
By Property 1, S ( AB CD) DH ( AB CD) 6 (2)
2 2
1
Substituting (1) into (2): S ( AB CD) 6 9 6 54 .
2
Example 16. PORS is a trapezoid with PO a base. Median MN intersects the
diagonals at X and Y. If SR = 12 and XY = 3, find PO.
A. 15 B. 16 C. 18 D. 21 E. 24
Solution: C.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
1
By Property 3, XY ( PO SR)
2
1
3 ( PO 12) PO 18 .
2
Example 17. In trapezoid ABCD, AD//BC. BD and AC meet at O. EF//BC. AD =
12 and BC = 20. Find EF.
A. 10 B. 15 C. 20 D. 25 E. 30.
Solution: B.
2 12 20
By Property 4, EF 15
12 20
Example 18. In trapezoid ABCD, AD//BC. SBOC = 9 cm2. SAOD = 4 cm2. Find the
area of ABCD.
A. 10 B. 20 C. 25 D. 30 E. 40.
Solution: C.
By Property 5,
S ABCD ( m n )2 ( 4 9 )2 25 cm 2 .
Example 19. Given trapezoid ABCD with AB // CD, AB = a, CD = b, and MN //
AB such that trapezoid ABNM has area equal to trapezoid MNCD. If MN = x,
solve for x in terms of a and b.
ab 2ab
A. B. ab C.
2 ab
a 2 b2 a 2 b2
D. E.
2 2
Solution: D.
By Property 7, DC2 MN 2 MN 2 AB 2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
a 2 b2
2MN 2 a 2 b2 MN .
2
Example 20. The isosceles trapezoid pictured below has base of length 8,
congruent sides with length 7, and a diagonal of length
9. Determine its area.
A. 18 5 B. 3 5 C. 10 5 D. 40 E. 45.
Solution: A.
By the property 8, we have
92 72 AB 8 AB = 4.
Let the height of the trapezoid be h. Applying
Pythagorean Theorem to triangle BCE:
h 2 7 2 22 h3 5.
84
The area is 3 5 18 5 .
2
Example 21. As shown in the figure, isosceles trapezoid has the base angle 60.
The sum of two bases is 30 cm. The diagonal AC bisects the angle A. Find the
perimeter of the trapezoid.
A. 10 B. 20 C. 30 D.4 E. 50.
Solution: E.
Because B = 60 and BAC = 30, so triangle
ABC is a right triangle where ACB = 90 and AB
= 2BC.
Since AB // CD, 3 = 2.
We also know that 1 = 2, so 3 = 1.
Thus, DC = AD = BC and AB = 2CD.
Since AB + CD = 30, 2CD + CD = 30 CD = 10.
The perimeter of the trapezoid is AB + BC + CD + DA = 5 CD = 50 (cm).
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Example 22. Trapezoid ABCD has the area S. AB //CD, AB = b, CD = a (a < b).
Diagonals AC and BD meet at O. If the area of
2 a
BOC is S , find .
9 b
A. 3/5 B. 5/8 C. 7/8 D. 1/2 E. 1/4.
Solution: D.
Let the area of DOC be S1 and the area of AOB be S2.
We have
5
S1 S 2 9 S
.
S S ( 2 S ) 2
1 2 9
4 1
S1 9 S S1 9 S
Solving for S1 and S2, we get or .
S 1 S S 4 S
2 9
2
9
a S1 1
Since a < b, then S1 < S2. Therefore .
b S2 2
Example 23. In trapezoid ABCD, AB = 5, DC = 11. E is the midpoint of AB. F is
the midpoint of DC. D + C = 90. What is
the length of EF?
(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 5 (D) 6 (E) 7
Solution: A.
Draw AG // BC. ABCG is a parallelogram. So GC = AB = 5. We also know that
DAG = 90.
Connect AH, H is the midpoint of DG.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
1 1
In right triangle ADG, AH = DH = HG = DG (11 5) 3 .
2 2
1
HF = DF – DH = DC 3 2.5 .
2
1
EF AB 2.5 .
2
Thus AEFH is a parallelogram and EF = AH = 3.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
3. PROBLEMS
Problem 1. Find the area of the trapezoid ABCD given AB = 14, DC = 6, EDC
is a right angle, and the area of EDC is 30.
A. 75 B. 80 C. 90 D. 100 E. 120
Problem 2. ABCD is a trapezoid. Given AB // CD , DC = 8 m, AC = 12 m, mA =
mB = 45. The area of trapezoid ABCD is:
A. 20 m2 B. 40 m2 C. 20 2 m2
D. 32 m2 E. 24 m2
Problem 3. In quadrilateral ABCD, CD BC , BC // AD , BC = 8, AD = 10, and
CD = 3. What is the area of ABCD?
A. 54 B. 30 C. 27 D. 240 E. 55
Problem 4. A trapezoid has parallel sides of lengths 13 inches and 21 inches. The
longer of the two nonparallel sides is 17 inches and the
shorter of the two nonparallel sides is perpendicular to a
parallel side. What is the area in square inches of the
trapezoid?
A. 221 B. 225 C. 247 D. 255 E. 289
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Problem 5. In the diagram, ABCR is a trapezoid with bases AB and RC . ABCD
is a rectangle. AM = 3, MO = 4, OR = 7, BC = 12. Find the perimeter of trapezoid
DROP.
A. 4 13 B. 26 C. 13 13 D. 24 E. 13 3 13
Problem 6. Find the area of this isosceles trapezoid.
A. 35 sq units B. 40 sq units C. 50 sq units D. 65 sq units E. 100 sq units
Problem 7. Given quadrilateral ABCD with AD AB , AB BC , AD = 6, and
BC = 3. Let O be the point of intersection of the diagonals and let M
be the point on DC such that MO AB . Then OM is:
3 5 7
A. B. 2 C. D. 3 E.
2 2 2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Problem 8. In the diagram, trapezoid JKLM is isosceles. Triangle JHK is
isosceles with base HK . Find the measure of in
terms of .
A. = . B. C. 180 .
2 2
D. = 90 . E. 90 .
2
Problem 9. Suppose quadrilateral ABCD is a trapezoid, EF // AD , trapezoid
AEFD is similar to trapezoid EBCF, BC = a, and AD = b. Then EF is:
2ab ab a 2 b2 a b
A. B. ab C. D. E.
ab 2 2 2
Problem 10. Trapezoid ABCD, with AB parallel to CD , has median XY . AB =
12 cm, and XY = 17 cm. Find CD.
A. 14.5 cm B. 22 cm C. 24 cm D. 29 cm E. 34 cm
Problem 11. In the figure, BC is the base of isosceles triangle ABC. BC is a
diameter of the circle, point A is on the circle,
BC // DE , and DE is tangent to the circle. What is the
ratio of the area of triangle ABC to the area of trapezoid
BCED?
A. 1 : 4 B. 1 : 5 C. 2 : 5 D. 1 : 3 E. 3 : 4
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Problem 12. Consider the trapezoid ABCD (see the diagram). Suppose MN is
parallel to DC , AB = 6, DC = 8, and MN = x. If the
area of ABNM is half the area of ABCD, express x as a
function of a and b.
A. 10 B. 20 C. 30 D. 40 E.
50.
Problem 13. An isosceles trapezoid has parallel sides of lengths 10 and 28. The
non-parallel sides are each of length 15. The height of the trapezoid is
A. 12 B. 10 C. 8 D. 6 E. 4
Problem 14. ABCD is an isosceles trapezoid with AB parallel to DC , AC = DC,
and AD = BC. If the height h of the trapezoid is equal to AB,
find the ratio AB : DC.
A. 2 : 3 B. 3 : 5 C. 4 : 5 D. 5 : 7 E. 5 : 9
Problem 15. In a trapezoid ABCD with AB parallel to CD, the diagonals intersect
at point E. The area of triangle ABE is 32 and of triangle
CDE is 50. Find the area of the trapezoid.
Problem 16. A trapezoid ABCD is separated into a parallelogram and a triangle
by the dotted line through vertex D in the sketch shown.
The ratio of area of triangle to area of trapezoid is:
2 1 1 3
A. B. C. D. E. none of these
3 3 2 4
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Problem 17. In trapezoid ABCD, F is the midpoint of AD and G is the midpoint
of BC . If FG = 18 and DH = 12, then the area of the trapezoid is:
A. 54 B. 9 6 C. 27 D. 18 E. 108
Problem 18. ABCD is a trapezoid with bases AB and CD . The measure of A =
30 the measure B = 60, DC = 8, and AD = 12. The
perimeter of trapezoid ABCD is:
A. 34 6 3 B. 28 9 3
C. 28 24 3 D. 28 13 3
E. 28 12 3
Problem 19. In trapezoid ABCD, M and N are the midpoints of AB and CD ,
BC // AD , and diagonals AC and BD cut MN at P and Q. If BC = 6 and AD =
10, find PQ.
1 8
A. ( 10 6 ) B. 2( 10 6 ) C. 2 D. E. none of these
2 3
Problem 20: As shown in the figure, ABCD is a trapezoid. AB // CD. BD is the
diagonal BD = AD. FindADB if DCB = 125 and
CBD = 20.
A. 100 B. 110 C. 120 D. 125 E. 130.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Problem 21: (2000 China Math Competition) Figure ABCD is a trapezoid with
AB DC, AB = 8, BC 6 2 , BCD = 45 and BAD = 120
Find the area of ABCD.
A. 66 6 3 B. 66 3
C. 6 6 3 D. 60 6 3
E. 66 2 3
Problem 22: In isosceles trapezoid, AB//DC, diagonal BD divides ABCD into two
isosceles triangles as shown in the figure. Find each angle of trapezoid ABCD.
A. 100 B. 105 C. 108 D. 112 E. 120.
Problem 23: A rectangle is cut off two congruent isosceles right triangles as
shown in the figure. The remainder of the rectangle
is a trapezoid with two bases of lengths 20 and 30.
Find the fractional parts of the rectangle that is cut
off.
A. 1/6 B. 1/5 C. 1/4 D. 1/3 E. 1/2
Problem 24: ABCD is a trapezoid with AD = 4, BC = 12, AB = 10, and CD = 14,
as shown. Line EF parallel to the bases divides the
trapezoid into two trapezoids of equal perimeters. Find
the ratio AF/FB.
A. 2 : 1 B. 3 : 1 C. 4 : 5 D. 5 : 3 E. 5 : 2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Problem 25: (AMC) The line joining the midpoints of the diagonals of a
trapezoid has length 3. If the longer base is 97, then the shorter base is:
(A) 94 (B) 92 (C) 91 (D) 90 (E) 89
Problem 26: (AMC 12) Convex quadrilateral ABCD has AB = 9 and CD = 12.
Diagonals AC and BD intersect at E, AC = 14, and AED and BEC have equal
areas. What is AE?
(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 5 (D) 6 (E) 8
Problem 27: In isosceles trapezoid, AB//DC, AD = BC. BE DC at E. Find AB
if BE = AB, DB = DC = 10.
(A) 9 (B) 8 (C) 7 (D) 6 (E) 5
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
4. SOLUTIONS
Problem 1. Solution: D.
1
Since EDC is a right triangle, its area is S EDC DC DE
2
1
30 6 DE DE 10 .
2
( DC AB ) (6 14)
So the area of the trapezoid is S ABCD DE 10 100 .
2 2
Problem 2. Solution: B.
We draw the height CE and DF as shown in the figure.
Connect AC. Let BE = AF = CE = DF = x.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangle ACE:
AC 2 CE 2 AE 2 122 x 2 ( x 8)2
x 2 14 4 and x 2 14 4 (ignored)
So the area of trapezoid ABCD is:
( DC AB ) [8 8 2(2 14 4)]
S ABCD CE (2 14 4)
2 2
(2 14 4)(2 14 4) 40.
Problem 3. Solution: C
Since CD BC , CD is the height of the trapezoid. So the area of trapezoid
( BC AD ) 8 10
ABCD is: S ABCD CD 3 27 .
2 2
Problem 4. Solution: D.
We draw the height of the trapezoid. We see that triangle
AED is a 8-15-17 right triangle. So the area of trapezoid
( AB DC) 13 21
ABCD is: S ABCD DE 15 255 .
2 2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Problem 5. Solution: E.
We see that AO = OR = 7. So PD = 12/2 = 6. We also know that RD = 2OP.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangle ADR: AR 2 AD 2 RD 2
2 13
142 RD 2 122 RD 2 13 . Then OP 13 .
2
The perimeter of trapezoid DROP is
OR RD DP OP 7 2 13 6 13 13 3 13 .
Problem 6. Solution: B.
We draw the height of the trapezoid. We see that triangle ADM is a 3-4-5 right
triangle. So the area of trapezoid ABCD is:
( AB DC) 13 7
S ABCD DM 4 40 .
2 2
Problem 7. Solution: B.
Since AD AB and AB BC , ABCD is a trapezoid.
2 AD BC 263
By Property 4, MR MR 4
AD BC 63
2 AD BC 263
OR MR 4
AD BC 63
By Theorem 6 (Chapter 27 Similar Triangles),.
AD BC 63
OR OR 2
AD BC 63
Therefore OM = MR – OR = 4 – 2 = 2.
Problem 8. Solution: E
Since trapezoid JKLM is isosceles, LKJ = MJK
= 180 .
Triangle JHK is isosceles, JHK = JKH = .
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Notice that MJK is the exterior angle of triangle JHK, MJK = 2
180 = 2 90 .
2
Problem 9. Solution: B.
b x
Trapezoid AEFD is similar to trapezoid EBCF, we have x ab .
x a
Problem 10. Solution: B.
1 1
By Property 2, XY ( AB CD) 17 (12 CD)
2 2
CD 22
Problem 11. Solution: D.
Since BC is the diameter, and ABC is the isosceles
triangle, A = 90, D = E = 45. When we
connect BF and CF and we see that four triangles are
congruent. So the ratio is 1:3.
Problem 12. Solution: E.
By Property 7, DC2 MN 2 MN 2 AB 2 82 x 2 x 2 62 x 50 .
Problem 13. Solution: A.
We draw the height of the trapezoid. We see that
triangle CPB is a 9-12-15 right triangle. So the
height of the trapezoid ABCD is 12.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Problem 14. Solution: B.
Let DC = AC = m. Draw the height BF as shown in the figure. Since ABCD is an
mh
isosceles trapezoid, EF = h, FC DE .
2
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangle ACE:
mh 2
AC 2 AE 2 EC 2 m 2 h 2 (h )
2
1 h h
m 2 h 2 ( m h) 2 5( )2 2 3 0
4 m m
h 3 h
and 1 (ignored).
m 5 m
Problem 15. Solution: 162.
By Property 5, S ABCD ( 32 50 )2 162 .
Problem 16. Solution: B.
We draw AE as shown in the figure. We see that three
smaller triangles have the same area. So the answer is 2/3.
Problem 17. Solution: E.
1 1
By Property 2, FG ( AB CD) 18 ( AB CD) (1)
2 2
1 1
By Property 1, S ( AB CD) DH ( AB CD) 12 (2)
2 2
1
Substituting (1) into (2): S ( AB CD) 12 18 6 108 .
2
Problem 18. Solution: E.
We draw the height CF and DE as shown in the
figure.
We see that triangle ADE is a 6- 6 3 -12 right
triangle.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
We see that triangle BCF is a 2 3 -6- 4 3 right triangle.
So the perimeter of trapezoid ABCD is: 12 8 4 3 2 3 8 6 3 28 12 3
Problem 19. Solution: C.
Method 1:
1 1
By Property 2, MN ( AB CD) 8 . We know that MP QN BC 3 So
2 2
PQ = 8 – 6 = 2.
Method 2:
1
By Property 3, PQ ( AD BC ) 2
2
Problem 20: Solution: B.
In BDC, BDC = 35. Since DC is parallel to AB, DBA = 35. Since base
angles of an isosceles triangle are equal, BAD = 35. Therefore ADB = 110.
Problem 21: Solution: A.
Draw AF DC, and BE DC. Since BC = 6 2 ,
BCD = 45, thus BE = EC = AF = 6.
Since DAF = 30, DF = 2 3 .
Therefore,
1
S ABCD ( AB DF FE EC ) AF 66 6 3
2
Problem 22: Solution: C.
We have AD = BC = CD, and AB = BD.
Let ABD = x, A = y. Then
x + 2y = 180 (1)
3x + y = 180 (2)
Solving for x and y, we get x = 36 and y = 72.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
A = B = 72, C = D = 108.
Problem 23: Solution: A.
Each triangle has leg length 1/2 × (30 20) = 5 meters and area 1/2 × 52 = 25/2
square meters. Thus the flower beds have a total area of 25 square meters. The
entire yard has length 30 and width 5, so its area is 150. The fraction of the yard
occupied by the flower beds is 25/150 = 1/6.
Problem 24: Solution: A.
Let x and y be the two upper segments of the non-
parallel sides. Then
4 + y + x + m = 12 + 10 – y + 14 – x + m
x + y = 16.
7y
Since x: y = 14 : 10 = 7 : 5, y 8
5
20 20 10
Solving for y, we have y , and y : (10 y ) : 2 :1.
3 3 3
Problem 25: Solution: (C).
Method 1 (official solution):
The median of a trapezoid goes through the midpoints of the diagonals. Let x be
the length of the shorter base.
x x 1 x x
So the length of median 3 ; ( x 97) 3 . So x = 91.
2 2 2 2 2
Method 2 (our solution):
1
Let the shorter base be x. By the Property 3 in (3.3), we have 3 (97 x) x
2
= 91.
Problem 26: Solution: D.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Since AED and BEC have equal areas, AB// CD. ABCD is a trapezoid. ABE
CDE.
AB AE AE 9 AE
AE 6 .
CD CE AC AE 12 14 AE
Problem 27: Solution: D.
Method 1:
By property 8, we have 102 BC 2 AB 10 (1)
Draw AF DC at E. We know that
2 2
DC AB 10 AB
BC BE EC AB
2 2 2 2
AB
2
(2)
2 2
Substituting (2) into (1), we get:
2
10 AB
102 AB 2 AB 10
2
2
10 AB
10 AB
2 2
AB 10
2
AB 2 4 AB 60 0 .
Solving the quadratic equation, we have AB = 6 or AB = 10 (extraneous, since DB
= DC = 10).
Therefore AB = 6.
Method 2:
Connect AC and draw BM//AC to meet DC at M.
Since AB//DC and BM//AC, AB = CM, AC =
BM.
Since AD = BC, BD = AC. Thus BM = BD = 10.
Since BE DC, DE = EM.
We know that DC = 10. Let DE = x.
It follows that CE = 10 – x and EM = x, so CM = EM – CE = 2x – 10.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 28 Trapezoids
Since BE = AB = CM, BE = 2x – 10.
By the Pythagorean Theorem, we have BE2 + DE2 = BD2, or
(2 x 10)2 x 2 100 .
This can be simplified into 5x2 – 40x = 0.
Since x > 0, x = 8.
Therefore AB = 2x – 10 = 6.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
1. BASIC KNOWLEDGE
Chord: a line segment joining two points on the circle.
Diameter: a chord through the center.
Radius: a line segment joining the center to a point on the
circumference.
Tangent: a line that touches the circle at one and only one
point.
Secant: a line that intersects the circle at one and only one point.
Minor arc: arc that is less than a semicircle.
Major arc: arc that is greater than a semicircle.
Concentric circles: circles that have the same center.
Diameter Principles
Principle 1. A diameter divides a circle into two equal parts.
Principle 2. A diameter perpendicular to a chord bisects the chord
and its arc.
If AB is the diameter of the circle and ABCD, then EC = ED
Principle 3. A perpendicular bisector of a chord passes through the
center of the circle.
If ABCD, and EC = ED, then AB is the diameter of the circle.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Principle 4. In the same or congruent circles, congruent chords are equally
distanced from the center.
If EF = CD, then OG = OE
Tangent Principles
Principle 5. A tangent is perpendicular to the radius drawn to
the point of contact.
AB tangent to the circle O at P, if we draw OP, then OPAB.
Principle 6. A line is tangent to a circle if it is perpendicular to a radius at its
outer end.
Principle 7. A line passes through the center of a circle if it is perpendicular to a
tangent at its point of contact.
Principle 8. Tangents to a circle from an outside point are congruent.
PA = PB. 1 = 2.
Length-measurement Principles
Principle 9. (Ptolemy's Theorem) If quadrilateral ABCD is
a cyclic quadrilateral, then AC BD = AB CD + AD
BC.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Proof:
Method 1:
Extend AB to P such that PCA = DCB.
AC AP
Then ACP~ DCB. .
CD BD
So AC BD = CD AP (1)
We also have CBP = ADC, BPC = CBD = CAD.
AD CD
Then ACD~ PCB. We have or
PB BC
AD BC = CD PB (2)
(1) (2): AC BD AD BC = CD(AP PB) = AB CD.
That is, AC BD = AB CD + BC AD.
Method 2:
Draw the circumcircle of quadrilateral ABCD.
Take a point P at CD and connect AP such that PAB =
AB BP
CAD. Therefore ABP~ ACD. So
AC CD
AB CD = AC BP (1)
We also see that ABC~ APD (ACB = ADP, and BAC = DAP). So we
have BC AD = AC PD (2)
(1) + (2): AB CD + BC AD = AC(BP + PD) = AC BD.
(Ptolemy is said to have provided the shortest proof of the Pythagorean Theorem).
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Principle 10. Power of Points formula (1): If two chords intersect within a circle,
the product of the lengths of the segments of one chord
equals the product of the lengths of the segments of the other.
PA PB = PC PD.
Proof:
Connect AC and BD.PAC = PDB.
We know that APC = BPD. Thus PAC~ PDB.
PA PD
PA PB = PC PD .
PC PB
Principle 11. Power of Points formula (2):
PA PB = PC PD.
Proof:
Connect AC and BD.PAC = PDB.
We know that APC = BPD. Thus PAC~ PDB.
PA PD
PA PB = PC PD .
PC PB
Principle 12. Power of Points formula (3):
PC 2 PB PA
Proof:
Connect AC and BC. PAC = PCB.
We know that APC = BPC. Thus, PAC~ PCB.
PA PC
PC 2 = PA PB
PC PB
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Principle 13. Triangle ABC is inscribed in the circle O. AB is the diameter. The
height is draw from C to meet AB at D.
Then we have:
AC 2 AB AD
BC 2 AB DB
CD2 AD BD
2. EXAMPLES
Example 1. In circle Q, BE = CD. The length of BE is:
A. 9 B. 2 41 C. 41 2 D. 18 E. 2 65
Solution: E.
Since BE = CD, GQ = QH = 4. Connect BQ. We see
that BQ = QF = 5 + 4 = 9. Applying Pythagorean
Theorem to triangle BHQ:
BH 2 BQ 2 QH 2 BH 2 92 42 65
BE 2BH 2 65 .
Example 2. If AE = 8, EB = 4, find OG.
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5 E. 6
Solution: A.
AB = AE + EB = 8 + 4 = 12,
FB = 1/2 AB = 6, FE = FB – EB = 6 – 4 = 2 = OG
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Example 3. 69. Point P is 6 units from the center of a circle of radius 10.
Compute the number of chords with integral length that pass through P.
A. 2 B. 5 C. 7 D. 8 E. 10
Solution: D.
We draw the figure and we know that triangle OCE is a 6-8-10 right triangle. By
Principle 2, we get CD = 2 8 = 16. Thus the chord can be any integer value
from 16 to 20 (the longest chord-the diameter).
We can one chord for the length of 16 and the length of 20. For the lengths of 17,
18, and 19, we get two chords
symmetrical to the diameter AB. Total
we have 1 + 1 + 2 3 = 8 chords.
Example 4. Points A, B, C, and D lie on a circle with AB = 4 and BC = 2; AC is a
diameter; and ABD =CBD. What is BD? (2003 NC Math
Contest Geometry).
A. 2 2. B. 3 2. C. 10 D. 3 E. 2 3.
Solution: B.
Method 1 (official Solution):
Draw segment CD. Since AC is a diameter, ∠ABC and ∠ADC
are right angles. Because ∠ABD ≅ ∠CBD and ∠ABC is a right
angle, then ∠ABC =∠CBD = 45 . Since ∠CBD = 45 and
CBD and CAD are inscribed angles intercepting CD,
CAD = 45. ADC is an isosceles right triangle and AD =
CD = AC/ 2. Since ABC is a right triangle, AC2 = AB2 +
BC2 = 20 , so AC = 20 . Then AD =CD = 10 . Draw a
perpendicular from A to BD and let the foot of the
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
perpendicular be E. Then ADE is a right triangle so DE2 = AD2 − AE2 = 10 8
= 2 , so DE = 2. Then DB = BE + ED = 2 2 + 2 = 3 2.
Method 2 (our solution):
Since ABD =CBD, AD = DC .
We know that AC is the diameter, so AC AB 2 BC 2 42 22 2 5 and
AC
AD DC 10
2
By Ptolemy's theorem, AB CD +AD BC =AC BD
4 10 2 10 2 5 BD BD 3 2
Example 5: Given a circle with two intersecting chords, how long is chord AB if
chord CD bisects chord AB at point O, and CO = 5 and OD = 3?
A. 15 B. 3 2. C. 2 15. D. 5 E. 15 2
Solution: C.
AO OB CO OD x 2 3 5 15
x 15 2x = 2 15.
Example 6: A chord which is the perpendicular bisector of a radius of length 12
in a circle. What is the length of the chord? (2003 NC Math Contest Geometry).
A. 6 3 B. 12 3. C. 2 13. D. 20 E. 13 2
Solution: B.
Method 1 (official solution):
Let O denote the center of the circle, and let OR and AB be the
radius and the chord which are perpendicular bisectors of each
other at M. Applying the Pythagorean theorem to the right
triangle OMA yields (AM)2 = (OA)2 – (OM)2 = 122 – 62 = 108 , Thus AM =
6 3 and the required chord has length 12 3.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Method 2 (our solution): Extend RO to P and PR is the
diameter.
AM MB RM MP x 2 (12 6) 6 3 62
x6 3 2x = 12 3.
Example 7: In the figure shown, a circle passes through two adjacent vertices of a
square and is tangent to the opposite side of the square. If the
side length of the square is 3, what is the area of the circle?
9 16 36 225
A. B. C. 6 D. E.
4 4 25 64
Solution: E.
Draw EF, the diameter from the tangent point. Let EG = x.
We see that GF = 3.
3 3 3
By Principle 10, x 3 x .
2 2 4
3 15
So EF = EG + GF = 3 .
4 4
15 225
So the radius is and the area is .
8 64
Example 8. (2012 AMC 8 problem 24) A circle of radius 2 is cut in to four
congruent arcs. The four arcs are joined to form the star figure shown. What is the
ratio of the area of the star figure to the area of the original circle?
4 1 2 1 3
A. B. C. D. E.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Solution: A.
Method 1 (official solution):
Translate the star into the circle so that the points of the star coincide with the
points on the circle. Construct four segments connecting
the consecutive points of the circle and the star, creating a
square concentric to the circle.
The area of the circle is (r)2 = 4. The square is made up
of four congruent right triangles with area (2 × 2)/2 = 2, so
the area of the square is 4 × 2 = 8.
The area inside the circle but outside the square is 4 − 8.
This is also the area inside the square but outside the star. So, the area of the star
is 8 − (4 − 8) = 16 − 4. The ratio of the area of the star figure to the area of the
original circle is (16−4)/4 = (4−)/.
Method 2 (our solution):
As shown in the figure below, the area of the star figure is the area of the square
ABCD – the area of the circle O = 4 × 4 × 22 = 16 – 4.
The ratio of the area of the star figure to the area of the original circle is
(16−4)/4 = (4−)/( ×22) = (4−)/.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Example 9. (2011 AMC 8 problem 25) A circle with radius 1 is inscribed in a
square and circumscribed about another square as shown.
Which fraction is closest to the ratio of the circle’s shaded
area to the shaded area between the two squares?
(A) 1/2 (B) 1 (C) 3/2 (D) 2 (E) 5/2
Solution: A.
Method 1 (official solution):
The area of a circle of radius 1 is (1)2 = . The side length
of the big square is the diameter of the circle, which is 2, so
its area is 22 = 4. The big square can be divided into 8
congruent triangles, and the shaded area is made up of 4 of
those triangles. The shaded area is half the area of the big
square, which is 2. The requested ratio of the two shaded
areas is ( − 2)/2 (3.14− 2)/2 1/2.
Method 2 (our solution):
We are asked to calculate the ratio of the two shaded areas as shown in the figure
below.
The shaded area in figure a is the area of the circle – the
area of the square ABCD
1 1
= (r)2 d 2 = (1)2 22 = 2.
2 2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
The shaded area of figure b can be converted into a rhombus and the area is
1 2
2 = 2.
2
The required ratio of the two shaded areas is then ( − 2)/2 (3.14− 2)/2 1/2.
32
Example 10. A circle with radius and a square share the same center. The
total area of the regions that are inside the circle and outside
the square is equal to the total area of the regions that are
outside the circle and inside the square. What is the length of
the side of the square?
(A) 32 (B) 16 (C) 8 (D) 4 (E) 2
Solution: A.
Because the circle and square share the same interior region and the area of the
two exterior regions indicated are equal, the square and the circle must have equal
area.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
32
The area of the circle is r2 = ( )2 = 322. Because the area of both the circle
2
and the square is 32 , the length of the side of the square is 322 32 .
Example 11. (2005 AMC 8 problem 23) Isosceles right triangle ABC encloses a
semicircle of area 2. The circle has its center O on
hypotenuse AB and is tangent to sides AC and BC. What
is the area of triangle ABC?
(A) 6 (B) 8 (C) 3 (D) 10 (E) 4
Solution: B.
Method 1 (official solution):
Reflect the triangle and the semicircle across the
hypotenuse AB to obtain
a circle inscribed in a square. The circle has area 4.
The radius of a circle with area 4 is 2. The side length
of the square is 4 and the area of the square is 16.
So the area of the triangle is 8.
Method 2 (our solution):
Connect OC and OD, where D is the tangent point.
We see that OBC is an isosceles right triangle as well.
1
OD is the radius of the semicircle and OD = AC .
2
1 2
r = 2 OD 2 = 4 OD 2
2
So AC 4 .
1 1 1
The area of triangle ABC = AC BC AC 2 42 8 .
2 2 2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Example 12. (2004 AMC 8 problem 25) Two 4 × 4 squares intersect at right
angles, bisecting their intersecting sides, as shown. The
circle's diameter is the segment between the two points
of intersection. What is the area of the shaded region
created by removing the circle from the squares?
(A) 16 4 (B) 16 2 (C) 28 4
(D) 28 2 (E) 32 2
Solution: D.
Method 1 (official solution):
The overlap of the two squares is a smaller square with side length 2, so the area
of the region covered by the squares is 2(4 × 4) (2 × 2) = 32 4 = 28.
The diameter of the circle has length 22 22 8 , the length of the diagonal of
the smaller square. The shaded area created by removing the circle from the
8
squares is 28 ( )2 28 2 .
2
Method 2 (our solution):
The overlap of the two squares is a smaller square with side length 2. The
diameter of the circle has length d = 2 2 and the area of
the semicircle is .
1 d2 8
The area of the triangle is 2.
2 2 4
The shaded area shown in the figure below is
16 2 14 .
So the answer is 2 × (14 ) 28 2 .
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Example 13: In the given figure, PE = 9, DE = 3, DC = 6, and PH = 8. Find FG.
A. 16/3 B. 5/2 C. 11/2 D. 8/3 E. 5
Solution: B.
We separate the figure into two figures as shown.
By Principle 11, for the figure on the right:
27
PD PE PG PH (9 3) 9 PG 8 PG .
2
By Principle 11, for the figure on the right:
27 27
PC PD PF PG (6 12) 12 ( FG )
2 2
5
FG .
2
Example 14: As shown in the figure, PA = AB, PC = 2, PO = 5, find PA.
A. 5 B. 2 2. C. 2 15. D. 3.5 E. 3 2
Solution: B.
Extend PO to D.
Since PO = 5, PC = 2, so OC = 3 and OD = 3, PD = 8.
PD PC PB PA or 8 2 (2PA) PA , then
PA2 8 PA 2 2 .
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Example 15: In the diagram, C is the center of the circle and AD is tangent to the
circle at D. The line segment AC intersects the circle at B. If
AD = 10 and AB = 7, find the radius of the circle. (2011
Georgia Southern University Math Contest).
A. 51/14 B. 51/7 C. 2 15. D. 7 E. 14
Solution: A.
Extend AC to meet the circle at E.
By the Power of Points formula:
51
AD 2 AE AB 102 (7 BE ) 7 BE
7
The radius is 51/14, which is half of the diameter BE.
Example 16. PBA is the secant of the circle O. PC is tangent to O at C. PED
passes through the center O. DPC = 45. AB = BP = 2 .
Find the radius of the circle O.
A. 2 B. 4 C. 3. D. E. 2
Solution: A.
CP 2 AP BP (2 2 ) 2 4
So CP = 2. Connecting OC. OCCP, COP =CPO = 45.
CP = OC = 2
Example 17. Point C is the middle point of arc ACB, CD is
the diameter. PECB at E. BC = 10, CE : EB = 3 : 2, find
AB.
A. 10 B. 14 C. 7 3. D. 12 E. 4 10
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Solution: E.
CE 3 3
We are given that . So CE EB .
EB 2 2
3 5 5
BC CE EB EB EB EB and EB 10 , EB = 4; CE = 6.
2 2 2
BP CB EB 10 4 ; BP 2 10 ; AB 2 BP 4 10 .
2
Example 18. As shown in the figure is a semicircle and AGEF. EB = 4 and BK
= 9. Find AE.
A. 2 B. 4 C. 6 D. 8 E. 4 2
Solution: C.
Connect AF and KF.
We have AE 2 EF EG
EF EK
We also have EBG EFK,
EB EG
So EF EG BE EK or AE 2 EB EK = 4 9.
AE = 6.
Example 19. ABC, C = 90, AB = 10, BC = 2 5 . AC is the diameter of the
circle O. AB meets the circle O at D. Find AD and CD.
A. 6 B. 4 C. 2 3. D. 8 E. 14
Solution: B.
Connect CD. We get ADC = 90.
ACB = 90 (given).
Let AD = x, we get BC 2 AB DB or (2 5 ) 2 10 DB ,
then DB = 2.
AD = 8, so CD 2 AD DB 2 8 16 , then CD = 4.
131
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Example 20. A small circle and a big circle are concentric. EF is tangent to the
small circle at C. AO = 6, CO = 4. Find EG.
10 21
A. B. 2 C. 3. D. 4 E. 2 2
21
Solution: A.
AC = AO – CO = 6 – 4 = 2.
AC CB = EC CF = EC2.
EC2 = 2 10 = 20. CD = 8. In the right triangle ECD:
ED EC 2 CD 2 20 64 2 2
10 21
EC 2 ED EG EG 2 21 , so EG .
21
Example 21. AC is a diameter of a circle in which AD is a chord; B is a point on
AC such that DB AC. If AB = 9, and BC = 16, how long is DB? (1999 NC Math
Contest Geometry)
A. 10 B. 12 C. 10 3. D. 14 E. 10 2
Solution: B.
ADC is a right triangle since it is inscribed in a semicircle.
If a perpendicular line is dropped from the right angle to the
hypotenuse, then the square of its length is the product of
the 2 segments it forms on the hypotenuse.
(DB) 2 =AB BC DB = 9 16 12
132
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
PROBLEMS
Problem 1. In the figure, AB is a diameter to circle O, AO = 5, OD = 1, and CD
AB. The length of x + z is:
A. 5 B. 2( 15 6 ) C. 8 D. 72 E. 16 2
Problem 2. In the figure, AB is a diameter of the circle, AB = 13, and AC = 12
Then BC equals:
A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 24 E. 26
Problem 3. In the figure, O is the center of the circle. Quadrilateral OCBA is a
rectangle, OA = 5, and AP = 1. Then CA equals:
A. 6 B. 26 C. 6 5 D. 5.8 E. 30
Problem 4. In circle O, chord AB is perpendicular to diameter CD at E. Which of
the following is not necessarily true?
A. OA = OB B. AE = EB C. AD = DB
D. CE = EO E. arc AC = arc CB
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Problem 5. The centers of two circles, O and P, are 16 inches apart. The larger
circle has a radius of 5 inches, and the smaller
circle a radius of 3 inches. The length of the
common internal tangent is:
A. 10 2 inches B. 6 2 inches
C. 8 5 D. 8 3 inches E. none of
the above
Problem 6. In the figure, AB is 4 and AB is perpendicular to CD at the midpoint
of CD. If CD is 24, find the radius of the circle.
A. 4 10 B. 20 C. 16 D. 24 E. 4 3
Problem 7. In circle O, a point P divides a chord into segments 3 inches and 6
inches long. If the diameter of the circle is 11 inches, what is
the distance from P to the center O ?
A. 3.5 inches B. 3.2 inches C. 3.8 inches D. 3.0 inches
E. 2.8 inches
Problem 8. A chord which is the perpendicular bisector of a radius of length 12 in
a circle has length:
A. 3 3 B. 27 C. 6 3 D. 12 3 E. none of the above
134
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Problem 9. Given that DE = 2, CD = 4, A is the center of the circle, and CD is
tangent to the circle, and the radius of the circle.
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5 E. 6
Problem 10. In the figure, AB is a diameter of circle O and CB is a tangent at B. If
the radius of the circle is 6 and AG = 8, then CB is:
A. 4 5 B. 6 2 C. 6 5 D. 2 21 E. 8 2 .
Problem 11. If AB and AC are tangents to the circle with center O, BAC =
60and AB = 4, then AD equals:
3 2 3 4 3
A. B. 3 C. D. E. 3.
3 3 3
Problem 12. If AB and CD are any two chords of a circle which intersect at point
P, which is the midpoint of AB, and CP = 2, and PD = 18,
then AB equals:
A. 20 B. 18 C. 3 5 D. 12 E. 5 3 .
135
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Problem 13. A circle with center O has perpendicular diameters, AB and CD. If
AM is a chord intersecting CD at E, then AE AM is:
A. AO OB B. AO AB C. CE ED D. CE ED E.
CO OE
Problem 14. In a circle with center O, chord AB = chord AC. Chord AD cuts BC
at E. If AC = 12 and AE = 8, then AD equals:
A. 14 B. 16 C. 18 D. 20 E. 21
Problem 15. Line segment AB has length 16 inches and is tangent to the circle
centered at D whose diameter is 12 inches. The point of
tangency C is the midpoint of AB and FE is parallel to
CD. Find the length of FB.
A. 16/3 B. 24/5 C. 12/5 D. 4 E. 16/5
Problem 16. In the figure shown, ABC is a right triangle and the circle centered at
A is tangent to the hypotenuse BC. Find the radius of
the circle if AB = 2 and AC = 1.
2 2
A. B. 2 C. 1 D. E. 5 .
5 5
136
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Problem 17. Two parallel chords on the same side of the center of a circle are 12
inches and 20 inches long and 2 inches apart. Find the radius of the circle
A. 8 in B. 15 in C. 2 34 in D. 5 13 13 in E. 16 2 in
Problem 18. A circular arch having width 24 feet and height 9 feet is to be
constructed. What is the radius of the circle of which the
arch is an arc?
A. 10 B. 12.5 C. 13.5 D. 14 E. 16
Problem 19. In the figure the points A, D, and the center of the circle C are
collinear, AB and AE are tangent to the circle. If AB = b units and AD = a units,
what is the radius of the circle?
b2 a 2 b2 a 2 b2 a
A. B. C.
2a a 2
D. a b
2 2
E. a b
2 2
Problem 20. The length of each side of the square in the diagram is 8 ft. A circle
is drawn through A and D tangent to BC. What is the radius
of the circle?
A. 4 ft B. 4 2 ft C. 5 ft D. 5 2 ft E. 6 ft
Problem 21. Four circles of radius r are mutually tangent inside a circle of radius
one unit. The radius r is:
5
A. 1 B. 1/2 C. 2 -1 D. 1/4 E.
5
137
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Problem 22. In the figure, AC is a diameter and BC is tangent at C. If AB = 10
and AC = 8, then the measure of PB equals:
A. 4.2 B. 6.4 C. 3 D. 3.6 E. none of these
Problem 23. Three circles each of radius 4 units are inscribed in a fourth circle in
such a manner that the circles are mutually tangent to
three other circles. The radius of the large circle is:
2 4 32
A. 3 4 B. 3 4 C. 3
3 3 3
16 8
D. 3 8 E. 34
3 3
Problem 24. Two circles are internally tangent at point G as indicated in the
diagram. If AB = 6, EF = 8, and CD = 6, find the sum
of the radii of the two circles. BD passes through the
center of the larger circle.
A. 11 B. 12 C. 13 D. 14 E. 15
Problem 25. The circular table in the diagram is pushed against two
perpendicular walls. The point P on the edge of the table
is a distance 2 dm from one wall and a distance of 9 dm
from the other wall as shown in the figure. What is the
radius of the table?
A. 11 dm B. 9 2 dm C. 9 3 dm
D. 17 dm E. 18 dm
138
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
SOLUTIONS
Problem 1. Solution: B.
AO = 5, OD = 1. So DB = 4.
By Principle 13, CD2 AD DB 6 4 CD 6 4 2 6 .
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangle ACD:
AC 2 CD2 AD 2 62 (2 6 )2 60 AC 2 15 .
So the answer is 2( 15 + 6) .
Problem 2. Solution: C.
Since AB is a diameter of the circle, triangle ABC is a 5-12-13 right triangle. So
BC = 5.
Problem 3. Solution: A.
OP = OA + AP = 5 + 1 = 6. Connect OB. We see that CA
= OB = OP = 6.
Problem 4. Solution: D.
Since AB CD, and CD is the diameter, CD bisects AB.
So AE = EB, arc AC = arc CB, OA = OB, and AD = DB.
So the answer is D.
Problem 5. Solution: D.
Connect OB, PA. Extend PA to D with DA = OB.
Connect OD. So OD PD. Applying
Pythagorean Theorem to triangle ODP:
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
OD2 DP2 OP2 OD2 (5 3)2 162 OD 8 3 .
OBAD is a rectangle so AB = 8 3 .
Method 2:
Triangle OBC is similar to triangle PAC.
OB OC 3 16 CP
AP CP 5 CP
CP 10 .
So OC 16 10 6 .
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangle OBC:
OB2 BC 2 OC 2 62 32 BC 2 BC 3 3 .
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangle ACP:
AP 2 AC 2 CP 2 52 AC 2 102 AC 5 3 .
AB = 3 3 5 3 8 3 .
Problem 6. Solution: B.
Since AB is perpendicular to CD at the midpoint of CD,
CB BD 12 .
Extend AB to meet the circle at E.
By Principle 10, AB BE CB BD
4 BE 12 12 BE 36
The diameter is 36 + 4 = 40. So the radius is 20.
Problem 7. Solution: A.
Connect OB. Draw AO CD and meets PB at A. By
1
Principle 2, AB = (3 + 6) = 4.5. PA = 4.5 3 = 1.5,
2
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to right triangles ABO
and APO:
BO 2 AB 2 PO 2 PA2
5.52 4.52 PO 2 1.52 PO 3.5 .
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Problem 8. Solution: D.
We draw the figure.
Since AB bisects CO, by Principle 2, CO is also bisects AB.
Method 1:
Extend CO to meet the circle at D.
By Principle 10, x x 618 x6 3 AB 12 3 .
Method 2:
Connect OB.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to right triangles EBO:
EB 2 OB2 EO 2 122 62 108 EB 6 3
AB 12 3 .
Problem 9. Solution: B.
Let the radius be r. Extend DA to B as shown in
the figure.
By Principle 12, CD2 DB DE
42 (2 2r ) 2 r 3.
Problem 10. Solution: C.
Connect BG. We know that AGB = 90.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to right triangles AGB:
GB2 AB 2 AG 2 122 82 80 GB 4 5
We also see that AGB ABC.
AB CB 12 CB
CB 6 5
AG GB 8 4 5
Problem 11. Solution: D.
Connect OB. By Principle 5, OB AB. By Principle 8, OAB = OAC = 30.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Triangle ABO is a 30-60-90 right triangle. So the ratio
of the sides is 1: 3 : 2.
4 3 8 3
So OB , OA .
3 3
8 3 4 3 4 3
Thus AD OA OD OA OB .
3 3 3
Problem 12. Solution: D.
1 1
By Principle 10, AP PD CP PD AB AB 2 18 AB 12 .
2 2
Problem 13. Solution: B.
Connect BM. AMB = 90.
We also see that AMB AOE.
AM AB
AM AE AO AB .
AO AE
So the answer is B.
Problem 14. Solution: C.
Since AB = AC, ABC = ACB = . Connect BD. Since both ADB and ACB
face the same arc, ADB = ACB = . We know that , BAD = BAD. Thus ,
AB AE BE
ADB ABE (as shown in the figure). Therefore
AD AB BD
12 8
AD 18 .
AD 12
142
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Problem 15. Solution: E.
Method 1:
Since C is the midpoint of AB, BC = 16/2 = 8. We also know that CD = 6. So
triangle BCD is a 6-8-10 right triangle. Then BE = 10 – 6 = 4.
We know that and FE is parallel to CD. Thus BCD BFE.
DE BE 6 4 10 5 16
FB .
CF FB 8 FB FB 8 4 5
Method 2:
Since C is the midpoint of AB, BC = 16/2 = 8. Extend BD to meet the circle at G.
By Principle 12, CB 2 BG x 82 (12 x) x
x 4.
We know that and FE is parallel to CD. Thus BCD
BFE.
BC BD 8 10 16
FB .
FB BE FB 4 5
Problem 16. Solution: A.
Applying the Pythagorean Theorem to triangle ABC:
BC AB 2 AC 2 122 12 5 .
Connect A to the tangent point D. Then AD BC.
1
So AC 2 BC CD 12 5 CD CD .
5
Applying the Pythagorean Theorem to triangle ACD:
1 2 2
AD AC 2 CD 2 1 ( ) .
5 5
This is the radius so the answer is A.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Problem 17. Solution: D.
Let r be the radius of the circle. AB = 10. AD = 6.
CF = 20. CE = 10. DE = 2. OE = x.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to right triangles
ADO and CEO:
AD 2 DO2 CE 2 OE2
62 (2 x)2 102 x 2 x 15 .
r CE 2 OE2 102 152 5 13 .
Problem 18. Solution: B.
7
By Principle 10, 9 ( x 9 x) 12 12 x .
2
7
The radius is r 9 12.5 .
2
Problem 19. Solution: A.
Extend AD to meet the circle at F. Let r be the
radius of the circle.
By Principle 12, AB 2 AF AD
b2 a 2
b2 (a 2r ) a r .
2a
Problem 20. Solution: C.
Draw EF, the diameter from the tangent point. Let EG = x.
We see that GF = 8.
By Principle 10, x 6 4 4 x 2.
So EF = EG + GF = 2 + 8 = 10. So the radius is 10/2 = 5.
144
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Problem 21. Solution: C.
We draw the diameter EF as shown in the figure.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to right triangles ADC:
(2r )2 (2r )2 (2 2r )2 r 2 1 .
Problem 22. Solution: D.
We see that ACB = APC = 90.
ABC is 6-8-10 right triangle. So AB = 10.
By Principle 12, BC 2 AB PB 62 10 x
x 3.6 .
Problem 23. Solution: E.
We connect the centers of three small circles and we know that triangle ABC is an
equilateral triangle with the side of 8. So the height BE is
8
3 4 3.
2
2 2 8
The centriod is G and GB = BE 4 3 3 . The
3 3 3
8
radius is GB BD 34
3
Problem 24. Solution: D.
Let O be the center of the large circle and H be the center of the small circle.
Let r be the radius of the small circle and r be the
radius of the large circle. Let AO = m = CO.
8 2r
We see that R r 4.
2
OH OG GH R r 4 .
AO + OC = 2m = 2R 12= 2(r + 4) 12 = 2r 4. So
m = r 2.
145
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 29 Circles
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangle AOH: AH 2 AO 2 OH 2
r 2 (r 2)2 42 r = 5 and R = 5 + 4 = 9.
So the answer is 5 + 9 = 14.
Problem 25. Solution: D.
Let the center of the circle be G, radius be r. Let
the tangent point be B. Connect GB and GP. Draw
DC // AB and meets GB at C. We label each line
segments as shown.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to triangle PCG:
PG 2 PC 2 GC 2
r 2 (r 9)2 (r 2)2 r = 17 or 5
(ignored).
146
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
1. BASIC KNOWLEDGE
1.1. Rectangular solid
Volume, V
V = LWH
L: length of the base of the solid
W: width of the base of the solid
H: height of the solid
d: space diagonal of the solid
Surface area, S
S 2( LW WH HL)
Note: For a cube, L = W = H.
1.2. Cylinder
Volume, V
1
V R2h D2h
4
R: the radius of the circular base of the cylinder
D: the diameter of the circular base of the cylinder
h = the height of the cylinder
Surface area, S
S 2 R2 2 Rh
147
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
1.3. Sphere
Volume, V
_
4 1
V R3 D3
3 6
R: the radius of the circular base of the sphere
D: the diameter of the circular base of the sphere
Surface area, S
S 4 R2 D2
Note: S is also the area of the biggest circle achieved when a sphere is sliced into
two pieces.
1.4. Cone
Volume of a cone, V
1 1
V R2h D2h
3 12
R: the radius of the right cone
D: the diameter of the cone
h: the perpendicular height of the cone
l: the slant height of a right cone
l R 2 h2
1
Note: The volume of the cone is of the volume of the cylinder of the same
3
radius and height.
148
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Surface Area of a cone, S
S Rl R2
Volume of the frustum of a right circular cone, V
1
V h( R 2 r 2 Rr )
3
R and r represent the radius of the bases.
1.5. Pyramid
Volume of a Rectangular Pyramid, V
A pyramid is a solid figure with a polygonal base (in our case a rectangle) and
triangular faces that meet at a common point (the apex).
1
V abc .
3
a: the length of the base of the pyramid.
b: the width of the base of the pyramid.
c: the perpendicular height of the pyramid.
1
Note: The volume of the pyramid is of the volume of the rectangular solid of
3
the same length, width, and height.
Volume of a Triangular Pyramid, V
1
V 2a 3
12
a: the edge length.
149
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
l: the slant height (the height of the equilateral triangle ABC)
1
l a 3
2
1
h: the height of the regular tetrahedron. h a 6
3
The surface area of the tetrahedron is simply four times the area of a single
equilateral triangle face: S 3a 2
2. EXAMPLES
Example 1. Find the surface area of the figure below. Express your answer to the
nearest integer.
A. 94. B. 86. C. 75. D. 70. E. 64.
Solution: C.
This figure is a box (officially called a rectangular
prism). We are given the lengths of each of the
length, width, and height of the box, thus we only need to plug the values into the
formula.
S 2( LW WH HL) = 2(4.2 × 3.8 + 4.2 × 2.7 + 3.8 × 2.7) = 75.12 = 75 square
meters.
Example 2. The number of centimeters in the length, width and height of a
rectangular carton are consecutive integers. Find the smallest 6-digit number that
could represent the number of cubic centimeters in the volume)
A. 103,776. B. 103,786. C. 130,776. D. 103,677. E. 103,777.
Solution: A.
Let the smallest value of the length, width and height be a – 1. Since the numbers
are consecutive integers, then the other two dimensions are a and a + 1.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
V = (a – 1) a (a + 1) = a3 – a
We are seeking for a 6-digit number (a3) that is just over 100000.
463 = 97336 and 473 = 103,823.
So a = 47. V = a3 – a =103823 – 47 = 103,776.
Example 3. The sum of the measures of the edges of a cube is 48 cm. What is the
volume of the cube in cubic centimeters?
A. 125. B. 216. C. 343. D. 27. E. 64.
Solution: E.
Let the measure of the edges of the cube be a. There are 12 edges for a cube.
12a = 48 a = 4.
V = a a a = a = 43 = 64 (cm3).
3
Example 4. The side, front, and bottom faces of a rectangular solid have areas of
32, 24, and 48 square units respectively. What is the number of cubic units in the
volume of the solid?
A. 194. B. 192. C. 175. D. 170. E. 164.
Solution: B.
Let the dimensions of the solid be a, b, and c.
a b = 32 (1)
b c = 24 (2)
c a = 48 (3)
(1) (2) (3):
(a b c)2 = 32 24 48 a b c 32 24 48 192 .
151
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Example 5. Find the volume and surface area of the figure below. Express the
sum in terms of .
A. 360 B. 380 C. 300 D. 340 E. 552
Solution: E.
The figure is a cylinder, with the diameter of its circular base
as 12 inches, and height of the cylinder as 10 inches.
To calculate the volume and surface area, we simply need to
plug the values into the formulas.
Surface Area: S = 2(πr2 ) + 2πrh = 2(π ⋅ 62 ) + 2π (6)(10) = 72π + 120π = 192π
square inches.
1
Volume: V D 2 h 122 10 360 . 360 + 192 = 552
4 4
Example 6. If the radius of a cylinder is doubled and its altitude is cut in half,
what is the ratio of the volume of the original cylinder to the volume of the altered
cylinder? Express your answer in the form a / b.
A. 1/4. B. 1/2. C. 1/5. D. 1/7. E. 1/6.
Solution: B.
a V1 R1 h1
2 2
R h R h 1 1 1 2 1
1 2 1 ( 1 )2 ( 1 ) ( )2 ( ) .
b V2 R2 h2
2
R2 h2 R2 h2 2 1 4 1 2
2
Example 7. What is the remaining volume in cubic centimeters if a cylinder with
a radius of 5 cm is removed from a cube whose sides
measure 10 cm? Express your answer in terms of π.
A. 1000 – 250. B. 1000 – 230. C. 1000 – 300.
D. 1000. E. 550.
Solution: A.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
The volume of the cube: a3 =103 =1000.
1 1
The volume of the cylinder: D 2 h 102 10 250 .
4 4
The answer: 1000 – 250.
Example 8. The radius of a right circular cylinder is decreased by 20% and its
height is increased by 25%. What is the absolute value of the percent change in
the volume of the cylinder?
A. 19%. B. 12%. C. 17%5. D. 20%. E. 16%.
Solution: D.
The volume of the original cylinder: V1 R1 h1
2
The volume of the new cylinder: V2 R2 h2 (0.8R)2 (1.25h) 0.8R 2 h
2
The absolute value of the percent change in the volume of the cylinder:
V1 V2 R1 h1 0.8R 2 h 0.2 R1 h1
2 2
0.2 20%
V1 R12 h12 R12 h1
Example 9. Find the sum of the numerical values of the volume and surface area
of the figure below.
A. 74 B. 76 C. 60 D. 68 E. 72
Solution: E.
The figure is a sphere. We are given that the diameter of
the sphere is
6 inches, so we can just plug this number into the formulas
to calculate the volume and surface area.
1 1
Volume: V D3 63 36 cubic inches.
6 6
Surface Area: S D = 36π square inches.
2
The answer is 36π + 36π = 72π.
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Example 10. Before cooking, how many spherical meatballs of radius 1 can you
make from 1 spherical meatball of radius 3?
A. 37 B. 38 C. 30 D. 27 E. 20
Solution: D.
Let V1 be the volume of the big sphere and V2 be the volume of the smaller
sphere.
4
V1 R1
3
3
4
V2 R2
3
3
4
V1 3
R13 R 3
( 1 )3 ( )3 27
V2 4 R2 1
R23
3
We can make 27 spherical meatballs of radius 1 from 1 spherical meatball of
radius 3.
Example 11. A spherical drop of oil with a radius of 2 mm is dropped onto the
surface of a pool of water. If the oil spreads out uniformly into a circular region of
radius 8 mm, find the number of millimeters in the depth of the oil dispersion.
1 3 1 1 1
A. . B. . C. . D. . E. .
6 32 5 7 9
Solution: A.
Let V1 be the volume of the spherical drop and V2 be the volume of the circular
region containing the oil.
4 4 32
V1 R3 23
3 3 3
V2 R2 h 64h
2
32 1
Since V1 = V2 , 64h h
3 6
154
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
The number of millimeters in the depth of the oil dispersion is 1/6.
Example 12. Find the volume of the figure below.
A. 106 B. 107 C. 108 D. 120 E. 100
Solution: E.
The height is given as 12 centimeters and the diameter is
10 centimeters.
We can plug these values into the volume of a cone
formula.
1 1
V D 2h 102 12 100 cubic centimeters.
12 12
Example 13. The volume of a cylinder is 54π cm3. Find the number of cubic
centimeters in the volume of a cone with the same radius and the same height.
A. 16 B. 17 C. 18 D. 20 E. 22
Solution: C.
Let V be the volume of the cone.
Since the volume of a cylinder is 54π cm3, we have: 54 R2h
R 2h 54
1 1
The volume of the cone: V R 2 h 54 18 .
3 3
Example 14. What is the surface area, in square centimeters, of a circular cone
whose base has a circumference of 24π cm and whose height is 5 cm?
A. 500 B. 400 C. 300 D. 200 E. 250
Solution: C.
The radius of the base is 24 2R R 12
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
l R2 h2 122 52 13
S Rl R2 = 12 13 122 300 .
Example 15. What is the surface area, in square centimeters, of a circular cone
whose base has a radius of 9 cm and whose height is 12 cm?
A. 274 B. 246 C. 216 D. 268 E. 272
Solution: C.
l R 2 h2 122 92 15
S Rl R2 = 9 15 92 216 .
Example 16. Find the volume of the figure below.
A. 174 B. 176 C. 160 D. 150. E. 140.
Solution: E.
The base of this figure is a rectangle and the sides of the figure
are triangles, thus this figure is a rectangular pyramid. The
height (perpendicular height) is 10 inches. The length of the
base is 7inches, and the width of the base is 5 inches.
1 1
V abc 7 6 10 140 cubic inches.
3 3
Example 17. What is the volume, in cubic centimeters, of a pyramid with a
square base whose edge measures 6 cm and whose height is 8 cm?
A. 74 B. 76 C. 86 D. 96. E. 98.
Solution: D.
1 1
V abc 6 6 8 96 cubic inches.
3 3
156
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Example 18. A square pyramid has a base edge of 32 inches and an altitude of 1
foot. A square pyramid whose altitude is one-fourth
of the original altitude is cut away at the vertex. The
volume of the remaining frustum is what fractional
part of the volume of the original pyramid? Express
your answer as a common fraction.
63 31 15 3 1
A. . B. . C. . D. . E. .
64 32 16 4 64
Solution: A.
Let V1 be the volume of the original pyramid and V2 be the volume of the smaller
pyramid that was sliced off.
Since the original pyramid is similar to the smaller pyramid that was sliced off,
the ratio of their volumes is equal to the cube of the ratio of their heights.
3
V h 1
We have 2 .
V1 4h 64
V V V 1 63
The answer will be: 1 2 1 2 1 .
V1 V1 64 64
Example 19. Given right square pyramid ABCDE with square base BCDE.
Perimeter of square BCDE is 32 2 . If AB = AC = AD = AE
= 10, find the number of cubic units in the volume of the
pyramid.
A. 274 B. 276 C. 286 D. 296. E. 256.
Solution: E.
Since the perimeter of square BCDE is 32 2 , the side length is then 8 2 and
DF = 4 2 .
By Pythagorean Theorem, AF AD 2 DF 2 100 32 68 2 17 , and
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
AG AF 2 GF 2 68 (4 2 )2 68 32 36 6
The volume of the pyramid
1 1
V abc 8 2 8 2 6 256
3 3
Example 20. If the volume of a tetrahedron is doubled without changing its
shape, by what factor is the surface area increased?
3 3
A. 2 B. 4 C. 2 D. 3 E. 4
Solution: B.
Let V1 be the volume of the new tetrahedron and V2 be the volume of the original
tetrahedron.
1 3
V2 2a2 (1)
12
2
S2 3a 2 (2)
1 3
V1 2a1 (3)
12
2
S1 3a1 (4)
1 3
2a1 1 2
V1 12 a a1 a
(1) (3): ( 1 )3 2 23 ( 1 )2 2 3 (5)
V2 1 3 a2 a2 a2
2a2
12
2
S1 3a1 a
(2) (4): 2
( 1 )2 (6)
S2 3a2 a2
S1 a
Substituting (5) into (6): ( 1 )2 3 4 .
S2 a2
Example 21. Find the volume of this solid in terms of π.
A. 44 B. 46 C. 42 D. 40 E. 22
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Solution: D.
The volume of the solid consists of two parts: V1, the
volume of the cone and V2, the volume of the cylinder.
1 1
V1 R 2 h ( 3 )2 10 10
3 3
V2 R2h ( 3 )2 10 30
The answer is 30 +10 = 40.
Example 22. Six congruent spherical solids, each of radius 1 centimeter, are
packed tightly in a box with dimensions 2 centimeters by 4 centimeters by 6
centimeters. To the nearest cubic centimeter, what is the volume of the region
inside the box not occupied by the solids? Express your answer in term of π.
A. 48 – 8π B. 50 – 8. C. 96 – 16. D. 4 0. E. 8.
Solution: A.
The volume of the rectangular box: V1 = abc = 2 4 6 = 48.
4
The volume of the 6 spheres: V2 6 R3 8 .
3
The volume of the region inside the box not occupied by the spheres:
V1 – V2 = 48 – 8π.
Example 23. A 10-inch by 10-inch piece of cardboard has a 2-inch by 2-inch
square cut out of each corner. The sides are then folded up to
form a box. What is the volume, in cubic inches, of the box?
A. 74 B. 76 C. 86 D. 96. E. 72.
Solution: E.
The following box can be formed with dimensions 6 inches
(10 – 2 – 2 = 6), 6 inches (10 – 2 – 2 = 6) , and 2 inches.
The volume is 6 6 2 = 72.
159
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Example 24. The right circular cone shown has a height of 8 inches and the
radius of its base is 6 inches. A one-inch thick slice,
parallel to the base and two inches from the vertex, as
shown, is removed. Find the volume, in cubic inches, of the
slice.
57 512 512 96 17
A. . B. π. C. π. D. π. E. π.
16 19 27 7 9
Solution: A.
Method 1:
Let the volume of the original cone be V, and the volumes of the following two
cones be V1 and V2:
V1 V2
1 1
V R 2 h 62 8 96
3 3
Since the original cylinder is similar to the smaller cylinder that was sliced off,
the ratio of their volumes is equal to the cube of the ratio of their heights.
3
V1 3 27 27
V1 V
V 8 512 512
3
V2 2 1 1
V2 V
V 8 64 64
27 1 19 19 57
The answer is V1 – V2 = V– V V 96 .
512 64 512 512 16
Method 2:
In order to calculate the volume of the slice, we must figure out the lengths of DE
and FG (see figure below).
Using similar triangle ratios, we have:
160
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
AB HC 12 8 9 9
DE R
DE IC DE 3 2 4
AB HC 12 8 3
FG 3 r
FG CJ FG 2 2
1 1 9 3 9 3 57
V h( R 2 r 2 Rr ) 1 [( )2 ( )2 ] .
3 3 4 2 4 2 16
161
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
3. PROBLEMS
Problem 1. A sealed can of soup has the shape of a right circular cylinder which
has a radius of 3 cm and a height of 10 cm. The total area of
the exterior surface is:
A. 60 cm2 B. 78 cm2 C. 69 cm2 D. 129 cm2
E. none of the above
Problem 2. The total surface area of the rectangular solid 3 ft by 4 ft by 5 ft is:
A. 60 square feet B. 12 square feet C. 300 square feet
D. 94 square feet E. 47 square feet
Problem 3. A rectangular box having no top is three times as long as it is wide
and two times as tall as it is wide. If its volume is 750 cm3, then its surface area in
square centimeters is:
A. 195 B. 475 C. 550 D. 270 E. none of the above
Problem 4. A trough is 12 ft long and its ends are in the form of inverted
isosceles triangles (see figure), having an altitude of 3 ft and
a base of 4 ft What is the depth of the water when the trough
is filled to one-half of its capacity?
2 3 3 2 2
A. ft B. ft C. ft D. ft E. ft
3 2 2 3 3
Problem 5. The ratio of the surface areas of two spheres is 4 : 9. The ratio of
their volumes is:
A. 2 : 3 B. 4 : 9 C. 8 : 27 D. 16 : 81 E. 64 : 729
162
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Problem 6. A sphere has a radius of k units. A cylinder inscribed in the sphere
6
has a height of ( ) k units. The ratio of the volume of the sphere to the volume of
5
the cylinder is:
A. 125 : 72 B. 50 : 27 C. 25 : 48 D. 6 : 5 E. 250 : 81
Problem 7. A right circular cylinder has altitude 8 inches and radius 4 inches.
Find the total surface area.
A. 80 in2 B. 160 in2 C. 96 in2
D. 48 in2 E. (32 + 32) in2
Problem 8. The total surface area of a regular triangular pyramid all of whose
edges are 6 is:
A. 18 3 B. 27 3 C. 36 3 D. 45 3 E. 27 3 + 36
Problem 9. Suppose two pyramids are similar and the surface area of the larger
is 16 times the surface area of the smaller. How many times the volume of the
smaller pyramid is the volume of the larger pyramid?
A. 4. B. 8. C. 16. D. 32. E. 64.
Problem 10. Let A be the vertex of a right circular cone with base centered at O
and let B be a point on the circumference of its circular base. If the length of AO
is 10 and length of AB is 14, what is the lateral surface area of the cone?
A. 70 B. 80 3 C. 100 2 D. 140 E. 56 6
Problem 11. A propane tank is in the shape of a cylinder with hemispherical end
caps. The cylinder has diameter 4 feet and the total length of the tank is 12 feet.
What is the volume of the tank in cubic feet?
32 128 176 1024
A. B. C. D. 48 E.
3 3 3 3
163
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Problem 12. A frustum of a right circular cone has radii 4 cm and 6 cm with
height 7 cm, as pictured. What is its volume?
532 140
A. 364 cm3. B. cm3. C. 175 cm3. D. 84 cm3. E. cm3.
3 3
Problem 13. In the diagram, each edge of the cube has length 24. E, F, and G are
the midpoints of CD , BD , and DI . Find the volume of the
pyramid DEFG.
A. 72 3 units3. B. 144 units3. C. 144 3 units3.
D. 288 units3. E. 432 units3.
Problem 14. When the radius of the base of a cylinder was doubled and its
height remained the same, the total surface area of the new cylinder was three
times as large as the original. What was the ratio of the radius to the height of the
original cylinder?
A. 1 : 3 B. 1 : 2 C. 1 : 1 D. 2 : 1 E. 3 : 1
Problem 15. A solid sphere with radius 3 cm is melted down and recast as a
cylinder with the same radius. What is the height of the cylinder?
4
A. cm B. 3 cm C. 4 cm D. 9 cm E. 12 cm
3
Problem 16. Suppose the side, front, and bottom faces of a right rectangular
solid have areas of 12 cm2, 8 cm2, and 6 cm2 respectively, then the volume is:
A. 576 cm3 B. 24 cm3 C. 9 cm3 D. 104 cm3 E. none of these
Problem 17. A cube with sides of length 4 cm has three face diagonals drawn as
shown to form the edges of a new (6-edged) solid. What is
the number of cubic centimeters in the volume of the new
solid?
2 1 1 1 1
A. 10 . B. 10 . C. 10 . D. 10 . E. 10 .
3 3 5 7 9
164
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Problem 18. A cube with sides of length 4 cm has three face diagonals drawn
from a vertex. These three diagonals, along with three
other face diagonals, form the edges of a new (6-edged)
solid. What is the number of cubic centimeters in the
volume of the new solid?
1 1 3 3 3
A. 21 . B. 20 . C. 21 . D. 21 . E. 20 .
3 3 5 7 5
Problem 19. A plane parallel to the base of a cone divided the cone into two
pieces as indicated in the diagram. The radius of the cone is 8.
What is the ratio of the volume of the top piece to the volume
of the bottom piece?
A. 1 : 63 B. 1 : 64 C. 1 : 4 D. 1 : 3 E. 1 : 16
Problem 20. The center of the top of the cube is the apex of a pyramid whose
base is the bottom of the cube. Find the volume in cubic
centimeters of the space enclosed by the cube but not the
pyramid.
A. 486. B. 488. C. 516. D. 432. E. 464.
Problem 21. A right circular cone is inscribed in a right circular cylinder. The
volume of the cylinder is 72π cubic centimeters. What is
the number of cubic centimeters in the space inside the
cylinder but outside the cone?
A. 44 B. 46 C. 48 D. 40 E. 42
165
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Problem 22. A right circular cone is inscribed in a sphere with the surface area
of 400π as shown. The diameter of the base is equal to the altitude of the cone. If
ED = 6, what is the volume of the cone ?
1032 1028 1076 1024
A. B. C. D. 341 E.
3 3 3 3
Problem 23. The volume of a cone, in cubic centimeters, made from a circular
sector of radius 3 cm and central angle 40° is:
4 5 5 4 20 4 3 4 2
A. B. C. D. E. .
81 81 81 81 81
Problem 24. Triangle AOC is rotated about the y-axis. What is the volume of the
figure generated by the rotation?
A. 244 B. 246 C. 228 D. 220 E. 216
166
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
4. SOLUTIONS:
Problem 1. Solution: B.
1
V R2h D2h V R2h 32 10 60 .
4
Problem 2. Solution: D.
S 2(ab bc ca) 2(3 4 4 5 5 3) 94 .
Problem 3. Solution: B.
We know that L = 3W and H = 2W.
V = LWH, 750 3W W 2W W = 5.
So L = 3W = 15 and H = 2W = 10.
S 2( LW WH HL) S 2(15 5 5 10 10 15) 550
Since the rectangular box having no top, the answer is 550 – 75 = 475.
Problem 4. Solution: C.
We draw DE// AB such that GC = h, where h is the depth of
the water.
As long as the area of triangle DEC is the same as the area of
the trapezoid ABED, their corresponding volumes will be the
same.
We know that triangle DEC is similar to triangle ABC.
S FC 2 1 3 3
So we have DEC ( ) ( )2 h .
SABC GC 2 h 2
Problem 5. Solution: C.
S 4 R2 D2 .
167
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
S1 4 R1
2
R 4 R 2 R1
( 1 )2 ( 1 )2
S2 4 R2 2
R2 9 R2 3 R2
4 3
8 R 8
R1 V
( 1 )3 3 1.
27 R2 27 4
R23 V2
3
Problem 6. Solution: A.
We draw the figure as shown and we know that AB is the
diameter of the sphere. Let r be the radius of the cylinder.
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to right triangle ABC:
6
( 2k ) 2 ( 2r ) 2 ( k ) 2
5
4 3
VS 3
R 4 k3 10 k
( )2 (1)
VC r h 3 r 2 6 k 9 r
2
5
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to right triangle ABC:
5 k 25
( 2k ) 2 ( 2r ) 2 ( k ) 2 ( )2 (2)
6 r 16
V 10 25 125
Substituting (2) into (1) S .
VC 9 16 72
Problem 7. Solution: C.
S 2 R2 2 Rh 2 42 2 4 8 96 .
Problem 8. Solution: C.
S 3a 2 = 36 3 .
Problem 9. Solution: E.
S1 16 a 4 a1
Since two pyramids are similar, we have ( 1 )2 (1)
S2 1 a2 1 a2
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AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
V1 a
Since two pyramids are similar, we have ( 1 )3 (2)
V2 a2
V1 4
Substituting (1) into (2): ( )3 64 .
V2 1
Problem 10. Solution: E.
l R 2 h2 14 R 2 102 R4 6
S Rl R .2
The lateral area is Sl Rl = 4 6 14 56 6 .
Problem 11. Solution: B.
The solid is one sphere and one cylinder.
1
The volume of the cylinder will be: VC 42 (12 4) 32
4
1 32
The volume of the sphere will be: VS 43
6 3
32 128
The answer will be 48 .
3 3
Problem 12. Solution: B.
1 1 532
V h( R 2 r 2 Rr ) V 7 (42 62 4 6) .
3 3 3
Problem 13. Solution: D.
The pyramid DEFG is a triangular pyramid with the base EDG and the height DF.
So the volume will be
1 ED DG 12 12
V DF 12 288 .
3 2 6
169
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Problem 14. Solution: C.
By S 2 R2 2 Rh , we have S1 2 R1 2 R1h1 and
2
S2 2 (2R1 )2 2 (2R1 )h1 .
We are given that S2 = 3S1. So 6 R1 6 R1h1 2 (2R1 )2 2 (2R1 )h1
2
R1
2 R1h1 2 R1
2
1 : 1.
h
Problem 15. Solution: C.
4
The volume of the sphere is VS R3 .
3
The volume of the cylinder is VC R 2h .
4 4
We know that VS = VC. So: R 2 h R 3 h R4 .
3 3
Problem 16. Solution B.
Let the sides be a, b, and c.
ab = 12 (1)
bc = 8 (2)
ca = 6 (3)
(1) (2) ( 3): (abc)2 = 242 abc = 24.
Problem 17. Solution: A.
The pyramid DAFC is a triangular pyramid with the
base ADC and the height DF.
So the volume will be
1 AD DC 4 4 2
V DF 4 10 .
3 2 6 3
170
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
Problem 18. Solution: A.
The pyramid DBEG is a triangular pyramid.
We use the indirect way to get its volume.
The volume of DBEG = the volume of the cube – 4
the volume of the triangular pyramid DBCG (with the
base BCG and the height CD).
1 BC CG
V 43 4 DC
3 2
4 4 4 4 64 1
64 21 .
6 3 3
Problem 19. Solution: A.
Let the volume of the original cone be V1, and the volume of the small cone be V2:
1 1 1024
V1 R 2h 82 16
3 3 3
Since the original cylinder is similar to the smaller cylinder that was sliced off,
the ratio of their volumes is equal to the cube of the ratio of their heights.
3
V1 16 1 16
64 V2 V1 .
V2 4 64 3
16
V2
1
3 .
V1 V2 1024 16
63
3 3
Problem 20. Solution: A.
The height of the pyramid is 9.
1
Its volume is V 93 .
3
1
The answer is 93 – 93 486 .
3
Problem 21. Solution: C.
171
AMC 8 Preparation Chapter 30 Volumes
1
The volume of the cone is of the volume of the cylinder.
3
1
So answer is 72 72 48 .
3
Problem 22. Solution: E.
S 4R 2 400 4R2 R 10 .
Since ED = 6, BD = 8. then AD = 16.
1 1024
The volume of the cone is V 82 16
3 3
Problem 23. Solution: A.
As shown in the figures, the arc AB is the circumference of the
360 40
circle C. Let the length of arc AB be x. Then
2 3 x
3 1 2
x .
2 x 3
2 1
Then 2r r .
3 3
Applying Pythagorean Theorem to right triangle OCD:
1 80 80 4 5
h 2 32 ( )2 h
3 9 9 3
1 1 4 5 4 5
V ( )2 .
3 3 3 81
Problem 24. Solution: E.
As shown below in the figure below,
Volume of the figure generated = Volume of the cylinder
– Volume of the cone
1 2 2
= r 2 h r 2 h r 2 h 62 9 216.
3 3 3
172
AMC 8 Preparation Index
collinear, 45, 137
A common fraction, 35, 46, 157
concentric, 124, 132
absolute value, 153 Concentric circles, 116
acute angle, 1, 13, 15, 18 cone, 148, 149, 155, 156, 159, 160, 163, 165,
angle, 1, 3, 5, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 166, 171, 172
25, 36, 55, 71, 80, 95, 96, 98, 106, 110, 121 congruent, 2, 8, 24, 27, 29, 31, 34, 43, 55, 63, 64,
arc, 116, 130, 133, 137, 139, 142, 172 69, 71, 73, 83, 98, 106, 110, 117, 123, 124,
area, 29, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 125, 159
46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 53, 58, 61, 62, 63, 64, 67, Convex, 107
71, 72, 74, 77, 78, 83, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, corresponding angles, 55
95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, cube, 147, 151, 152, 153, 157, 160, 164, 165, 171
106, 108, 109, 111, 113, 123, 124, 125, 126, cylinder, 147, 148, 152, 153, 155, 159, 160, 163,
127, 128, 147, 148, 150, 162, 163, 167, 169 164, 165, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172
average, 86
D
B
decimal, 62
base, 3, 62, 72, 73, 83, 89, 91, 93, 96, 98, 103, decimal number, 62
107, 112, 113, 147, 148, 149, 152, 155, 156, degree, 5, 6
157, 160, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 169, 170, degree measure, 5, 6
171 diagonal, 30, 39, 41, 91, 98, 105, 106, 128, 147
bisect, 10, 27 diameter, 14, 34, 47, 66, 76, 103, 110, 116, 120,
121, 122, 123, 125, 128, 130, 131, 132, 133,
C 134, 135, 136, 138, 139, 140, 144, 145, 147,
148, 152, 153, 155, 163, 166, 168
center, 14, 34, 41, 48, 73, 116, 117, 121, 122, difference, 92
126, 127, 130, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, digit, 150, 151
145, 146, 165
central angle, 166
chord, 66, 70, 76, 116, 119, 121, 122, 132, 133,
E
134, 136 edge, 44, 138, 149, 156, 157, 164
circle, 14, 34, 41, 45, 47, 66, 70, 73, 76, 103, 116, equation, 54, 114
117, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, equilateral, 2, 16, 38, 46, 69, 74, 81, 145, 150
127, 128, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, equilateral triangle, 2, 38, 46, 74, 81, 145, 150
137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 143, 144, 145, 146,
148, 172
F
circumference, 34, 116, 155, 163, 172
circumscribe, 41 face, 142, 150, 164, 165
173
AMC 8 Preparation Index
factor, 158 P
formula, 28, 52, 54, 119, 130, 150, 155
fraction, 67, 113, 125 parallel, 3, 6, 9, 15, 18, 24, 27, 37, 41, 49, 56, 59,
frustum, 149, 157, 164 62, 63, 64, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77, 78, 83, 84, 85,
function, 104 89, 92, 101, 103, 104, 106, 112, 113, 136, 137,
143, 160, 165
H parallelogram, 28, 88, 99, 100, 104
percent, 30, 153
hypotenuse, 65, 66, 127, 132, 136 perimeter, 34, 43, 59, 60, 69, 70, 81, 89, 90, 92,
93, 94, 98, 102, 105, 109, 112, 157
I perpendicular, 63, 64, 65, 66, 70, 71, 76, 89, 101,
116, 117, 121, 122, 132, 133, 134, 136, 138,
inscribe, 41 140, 148, 149, 156
inscribed angle, 121 plane, 165
integer, 42, 48, 90, 91, 121, 150 point, 10, 13, 18, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 40,
integers, 150 43, 44, 45, 60, 66, 69, 70, 72, 74, 80, 85, 91,
intersecting lines, 69 102, 103, 104, 116, 117, 118, 122, 123, 127,
intersection, 30, 38, 41, 43, 69, 85, 91, 102, 128 130, 132, 134, 135, 136, 138, 143, 144, 146,
isosceles, 2, 7, 32, 35, 37, 39, 41, 69, 73, 74, 83, 149, 163
88, 92, 93, 95, 98, 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, polygon, 19, 25
109, 110, 111, 112, 121, 127, 162 prism, 150
isosceles triangle, 2, 7, 39, 73, 74, 88, 96, 103, product, 66, 119, 132
106, 110, 112, 162 proportion, 53, 55
Ptolemy's Theorem, 117
L pyramid, 149, 156, 157, 158, 163, 164, 165, 169,
170, 171
lateral surface area, 163 Pythagorean Theorem, 27, 37, 47, 52, 54, 76, 88,
line, 3, 6, 10, 34, 39, 47, 52, 56, 60, 62, 63, 64, 89, 94, 98, 108, 109, 111, 115, 118, 120, 139,
66, 71, 74, 104, 107, 116, 117, 130, 132, 146 140, 141, 143, 144, 145, 146, 157, 168, 172
line segment, 39, 47, 52, 60, 63, 64, 71, 116, 130,
146
Q
M quadrilateral, 15, 27, 43, 44, 46, 51, 71, 77, 83,
101, 102, 103, 107, 117, 118
mean, 68, 85
median, 84, 95, 96, 103, 113
midpoint, 37, 43, 46, 53, 54, 56, 57, 85, 95, 96,
R
99, 105, 134, 135, 136, 140, 143 radius, 45, 117, 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, 127,
mixed number, 60 130, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 141, 143,
multiple, 2 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 152, 153, 154,
174
AMC 8 Preparation Index
155, 156, 159, 160, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, sum, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 15, 16, 19, 41, 47, 53, 84,
168 98, 138, 151, 153
ratio, 13, 31, 32, 33, 36, 39, 41, 42, 46, 47, 48, surface area, 150, 152, 153, 155, 156, 158, 162,
49, 53, 56, 62, 64, 68, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 163, 166
103, 104, 106, 110, 123, 124, 125, 126, 142,
152, 157, 160, 162, 163, 164, 165, 171 T
ray, 10
reciprocal, 86 term, 88, 159
rectangle, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, tetrahedron, 150, 158
41, 42, 43, 44, 50, 84, 102, 106, 133, 140, 149, total surface area, 162, 163, 164
156 transversal, 2
remainder, 106 trapezoid, 37, 64, 72, 74, 78, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87,
rhombus, 126 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99,
right angle, 15, 27, 65, 66, 71, 80, 101, 121, 128, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109,
132 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 167
right circular cone, 149, 160, 163, 164, 165, 166 triangle, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 22, 23,
right circular cylinder, 153, 162, 163, 165 24, 31, 32, 38, 39, 46, 47, 49, 52, 53, 54, 55,
right triangle, 31, 32, 34, 35, 41, 55, 62, 63, 65, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 70, 72, 73, 74, 76,
66, 69, 70, 71, 73, 76, 89, 90, 92, 93, 94, 98, 77, 80, 85, 92, 93, 94, 96, 98, 103, 104, 108,
100, 106, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 121, 122, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 120, 121, 127, 128,
124, 127, 132, 136, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 139, 140, 143, 145, 146, 160, 167
144, 145, 168, 172 trisect, 43
rotation, 166
V
S vertex, 31, 43, 104, 157, 160, 163, 165
semicircle, 66, 116, 127, 128, 131, 132 vertical angles, 6
similar, 38, 39, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 67, volume, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155,
68, 69, 70, 71, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 103, 110, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 162, 163, 164, 165,
140, 157, 160, 163, 167, 168, 169, 171 166, 169, 170, 171, 172
similar figures, 56, 62, 74, 75, 76, 77
solution, 31, 32, 49, 64, 68, 89, 90, 113, 122, 123, W
124, 125, 127, 128
sphere, 148, 153, 154, 163, 164, 166, 168, 169, whole number, 30
170
square, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, Y
41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 53, 62, 63,
y-axis, 166
65, 66, 67, 72, 73, 89, 92, 101, 113, 123, 124,
125, 126, 127, 128, 132, 137, 150, 151, 152,
153, 155, 156, 157, 159, 162
straight angle, 3
175
AMC 8 Preparation Index
176
A LEVEL,AP,IB,IGCSE,MAT ，
PAT，STEP，SAT ,SAT2，雅
思，托福，GRE,,ACT,托业，
GMAT ，物理碗，AMC 等
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