Question

Let $ABCDEF$ be a regular hexagon with side length $1.$ Denote by $X,$ $Y,$ and $Z$ the midpoints of sides $AB,$ $CD,$ and $EF,$ respectively. What is the area of the convex hexagon whose interior is the intersection of the interiors of $\triangle ACE$ and $\triangle XYZ?$

$\dfrac{3}{8}\sqrt{3}$

$\dfrac{7}{16}\sqrt{3}$

$\dfrac{15}{32}\sqrt{3}$

$\dfrac{1}{2}\sqrt{3}$

$\dfrac{9}{16}\sqrt{3}$

Answer: C

Concepts:regular polygon area ratio equilateral triangle

Difficulty rating: 2270

Solution:

Place the regular hexagon on the unit circle with $A=(1,0),$ $C=(-\tfrac12,\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}),$ and $E=(-\tfrac12,-\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}).$ The three specified midpoints are $X=(\tfrac34,\tfrac{\sqrt3}{4}),$ $Y=(-\tfrac34,\tfrac{\sqrt3}{4}),$ and $Z=(0,-\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}).$

Intersecting the side lines of $\triangle ACE$ and $\triangle XYZ$ gives the six vertices of their common interior, in cyclic order: $\begin{gathered} (-\tfrac12,0),\quad (-\tfrac18,-\tfrac{3\sqrt3}{8}),\\ (\tfrac14,-\tfrac{\sqrt3}{4}),\quad (\tfrac58,\tfrac{\sqrt3}{8}),\\ (\tfrac14,\tfrac{\sqrt3}{4}),\quad (-\tfrac12,\tfrac{\sqrt3}{4}). \end{gathered}$ The shoelace formula applied to these vertices gives area $\dfrac{15\sqrt3}{32}.$

Thus, the correct answer is C.

2018 AMC 12B Problem 20

Answer: C

Difficulty rating: 2270

Solution:

Problem 20 in Other Years