1995 AMC 8 Problem 18

Attempt Problem 18 of the 1995 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 1995 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

18.

The area of each of the four congruent L-shaped regions of this 100100-inch by 100100-inch square is 316\dfrac{3}{16} of the total area. How many inches long is the side of the center square?
2525
4444
5050
6262
7575
Answer: C
Concepts:square (geometry)area
Small hint:
The four L-shaped regions together make up 4×3164 \times \dfrac{3}{16} of the square
Big hint:
The center square is the remaining fraction of the area; its side is the square root of its area
Solution:
The four L-shaped regions cover 4×316=344 \times \dfrac{3}{16} = \dfrac34 of the square, so the center square is the remaining 14\dfrac14 of the total area.
The total area is 100×100=10000100 \times 100 = 10000 square inches, so the center square has area 14×10000=2500,\dfrac14 \times 10000 = 2500, and its side is 2500=50\sqrt{2500} = 50 inches.
Thus, the correct answer is C .
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