1986 AMC 8 Problem 13

Attempt Problem 13 of the 1986 AMC 8 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 1986 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

13.

The perimeter of the polygon shown is
1414
2020
2828
4848
cannot be determined from the information given
Answer: C
Concepts:perimeterrectangle
Small hint:
All the angles are right angles, so the horizontal edges and the vertical edges can each be regrouped
Big hint:
The rightward and leftward horizontal edges each span the full width 8,8, and the upward and downward vertical edges each span the full height 66
Solution:
Because every angle is a right angle, sliding the edges shows that the horizontal edges together traverse the width twice and the vertical edges traverse the height twice. So the perimeter equals that of the full 88 by 66 rectangle, 2(8+6)=28.2(8 + 6) = 28.
The answer does not depend on exactly where the notch is cut.
Thus, the correct answer is C .
LIVE by Po-Shen Loh
Programs

LIVE Classes

Self-Paced Classes

Stars

Scholarship

About Us

Who Is Po-Shen Loh?

Email Contact

Newsletter

Jobs

Become a Star

For a more Thought Full world.

© 2026 Expii, Inc.