1986 AMC 8 Problem 21

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 21 of the 1986 AMC 8, 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.

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Concepts:net (3D geometry)casework

Difficulty rating: 1220

21.

Suppose one of the eight lettered identical squares is included with the four shaded squares in the T-shaped figure shown. How many of the resulting figures can be folded into a topless cubical box?

22

33

44

55

66

Solution:

The four shaded squares fold into four faces of an open box, and the added square supplies the fifth face. Picturing the folds, the squares A,E,H,B,D,A, E, H, B, D, and FF each complete a valid topless box.

The squares CC and GG do not work, because folding would force four faces to meet at a single corner. That leaves 66 valid figures.

Thus, the correct answer is E .

Problem 21 in Other Years

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