1957 AMC 12 Problem 49

Attempt Problem 49 of the 1957 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 1957 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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49.

The parallel sides of a trapezoid are 33 and 9.9. The non-parallel sides are 44 and 6.6. A line parallel to the bases divides the trapezoid into two trapezoids of equal perimeters. The ratio in which each of the non-parallel sides is divided is:

4:34:3

3:23:2

4:14:1

3:13:1

6:16:1

Answer: C
Concepts:trapezoidratio and proportionperimeter
Difficulty rating: 1830
Small Hint:

A segment parallel to the bases divides both legs in the same fraction

Big Hint:

Let the upper leg segments be 4t4t and 6t6t; the common dividing segment cancels when the two perimeters are equated

Solution:

Let the upper pieces of the legs of lengths 44 and 66 be 4t4t and 6t,6t, respectively. The dividing segment appears once in each perimeter and cancels. Equal perimeters therefore give 3+4t+6t=9+4(1t)+6(1t). \begin{aligned} 3+4t+6t &=9+4(1-t)\\ &\quad+6(1-t). \end{aligned} Hence 20t=16,20t=16, so t=45.t=\frac{4}{5}. Each leg is divided in the ratio t:(1t)=45:15=4:1. t:(1-t)=\frac45:\frac15=4:1.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

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Problem 49 in Other Years

1950 AMC 12 · 1951 AMC 12 · 1952 AMC 12 · 1953 AMC 12 · 1954 AMC 12 · 1955 AMC 12 · 1956 AMC 12 · 1958 AMC 12 · 1959 AMC 12