Question

All of the triangles in the diagram below are similar to isosceles triangle $ABC,$ in which $AB = AC.$ Each of the $7$ smallest triangles has area $1,$ and $\triangle ABC$ has area $40.$ What is the area of trapezoid $DBCE?$

$16$

$18$

$20$

$22$

$24$

Answer: E

Concepts:similarity power scaling of length, area, and volume

Difficulty rating: 1440

Solution:

The base $DE$ of $\triangle ADE$ is $4$ times the base of a smallest triangle, so by the square scaling of similar areas, $[ADE] = 4^2 \cdot 1 = 16.$ The trapezoid $DBCE$ is what remains of $\triangle ABC,$ so its area is $40 - 16 = 24.$

Thus, the correct answer is E.

2018 AMC 12A Problem 8

Answer: E

Difficulty rating: 1440

Solution:

Problem 8 in Other Years