Question

A thin piece of wood of uniform density in the shape of an equilateral triangle with side length $3$ inches weighs $12$ ounces. A second piece of the same type of wood, with the same thickness, also in the shape of an equilateral triangle, has side length of $5$ inches. Which of the following is closest to the weight, in ounces, of the second piece?

$\ 14.0$

$\ 16.0$

$\ 20.0$

$\ 33.3$

$\ 55.6$

Solution:

The surface area is increased by a factor of $\frac 53 ^2$ since the side lengths are increased by a factor of $\frac 53.$ Also since the thickness is constant, the volume is scaled up by that much. Then, the wood having the same density makes the weight increase by a factor of $\frac 53^2$ as well, so the new volume is $12 \cdot \dfrac {25}{9} = \dfrac{100}3.$ This is approximately $33.3.$

Thus, the correct answer is D .

2016 AMC 10B Problem 10

Solution:

Problem 10 in Other Years