Question

A regular octagon $ABCDEFGH$ has an area of one square unit. What is the area of the rectangle $ABEF?$

$1 - \dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$

$\dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{4}$

$\sqrt{2} - 1$

$\dfrac{1}{2}$

$\dfrac{1 + \sqrt{2}}{4}$

Answer: D

Concepts:regular polygon area decomposition symmetry

Difficulty rating: 1660

Solution:

Let $O$ be the center. The octagon splits into $8$ congruent triangles from $O,$ so $\triangle AOB$ has area $\dfrac18.$

Since $O$ is the midpoint of $AE,$ triangles $AOB$ and $BOE$ have equal area, so $\triangle ABE$ has area $\dfrac14.$ The rectangle $ABEF$ is twice this, namely $\dfrac12.$

Thus, the correct answer is D.

2003 AMC 10B Problem 23

Answer: D

Difficulty rating: 1660

Solution:

Problem 23 in Other Years