Question

Let $ABC$ be an equilateral triangle. Extend side $\overline{AB}$ beyond $B$ to a point $B'$ so that $BB'=3 \cdot AB.$ Similarly, extend side $\overline{BC}$ beyond $C$ to a point $C'$ so that $CC'=3 \cdot BC,$ and extend side $\overline{CA}$ beyond $A$ to a point $A'$ so that $AA'=3 \cdot CA.$

What is the ratio of the area of $\triangle A'B'C'$ to the area of $\triangle ABC?$

$9:1$

$16:1$

$25:1$

$36:1$

$37:1$

Answer: E

Concepts:area ratio equilateral triangle triangle area

Difficulty rating: 1860

Solution:

Let $X$ be the area of $\triangle ABC.$ Each of $\triangle BB'C,$ $\triangle CC'A,$ and $\triangle AA'B$ has a base three times as long as a side of $\triangle ABC$ and the same corresponding altitude. Each therefore has area $3X.$

Next, $\triangle AA'C'$ has three times the base and the same altitude as $\triangle ACC',$ whose area is $3X.$ Thus $\triangle AA'C'$ has area $9X.$ Similarly, $\triangle CC'B'$ and $\triangle BB'A'$ each have area $9X.$

These seven regions partition the large triangle, so $\begin{aligned}[A'B'C']&=X+3(3X)+3(9X)\\&=37X.\end{aligned}$ The requested ratio is $37:1.$

Thus, the correct answer is E .

2017 AMC 10B Problem 19

Answer: E

Difficulty rating: 1860

Solution:

Problem 19 in Other Years