1953 AMC 12 Problem 48

Attempt Problem 48 of the 1953 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1953 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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48.

If the larger base of an isosceles trapezoid equals a diagonal and the smaller base equals the altitude, then the ratio of the smaller base to the larger base is:

12\frac{1}{2}

23\frac{2}{3}

34\frac{3}{4}

35\frac{3}{5}

25\frac{2}{5}

Answer: D
Concepts:isosceles trapezoidPythagorean theoremratio
Difficulty rating: 1740
Small Hint:

A diagonal’s horizontal projection is half the sum of the two bases

Big Hint:

Scale the larger base to 11, and let the smaller base and altitude both be rr

Solution:

Let the larger base be 1,1, and let the smaller base and altitude both be r.r. A diagonal has horizontal projection 1+r2\frac{1+r}{2} and length 1.1. Thus 1=r2+(1+r2)2. 1=r^2+\left(\frac{1+r}{2}\right)^2. This simplifies to 5r2+2r3=(5r3)(r+1)=0. \begin{aligned} 5r^2+2r-3&=(5r-3)(r+1)\\ &=0. \end{aligned} The positive ratio is r=35.r=\frac{3}{5}.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

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Problem 48 in Other Years

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