1997 AMC 8 Problem 24

Attempt Problem 24 of the 1997 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 1997 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

24.

Diameter ACEACE is divided at CC in the ratio 2:3.2:3. The two semicircles, ABCABC and CDE,CDE, divide the circular region into an upper (shaded) region and a lower region. The ratio of the area of the upper region to that of the lower region is
2:32:3
1:11:1
3:23:2
9:49:4
5:25:2
Answer: C
Concepts:circle areaarea decomposition
Small hint:
Compare the upper region as a large semicircle minus one small semicircle plus the other
Big hint:
Choose convenient lengths in the ratio 2:32:3
Solution:
Choose AE=10AE=10 so that AC=4AC=4 and CE=6.CE=6. The large semicircle has radius 5,5, so its area is 25π2.\frac{25\pi}{2}.
The semicircle on ACAC has radius 22 and area 2π,2\pi, while the semicircle on CECE has radius 33 and area 9π2.\frac{9\pi}{2}.
The upper shaded region has area 25π2−2π+9π2=15π.\frac{25\pi}{2}-2\pi+\frac{9\pi}{2}=15\pi.
The whole circle has area 25π,25\pi, so the lower region has area 25π−15π=10π.25\pi-15\pi=10\pi.
The desired ratio is 15π:10π=3:2.15\pi:10\pi=3:2.
Thus, C is the correct answer.
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.