1998 AMC 8 Problem 13

Attempt Problem 13 of the 1998 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 1998 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

13.

What is the ratio of the area of the shaded square to the area of the large square? (The figure is drawn to scale.)
16\dfrac{1}{6}
17\dfrac{1}{7}
18\dfrac{1}{8}
112\dfrac{1}{12}
116\dfrac{1}{16}
Answer: C
Concepts:area ratioarea decomposition
Small hint:
Extend the grid lines in the large square.
Big hint:
The shaded square is made from four half-unit squares.
Solution:
Extend the figure to a 44 by 44 grid as shown:
The large square consists of 1616 unit squares. The shaded square is made from four half-unit squares, so its area is 4⋅12=2.4\cdot\dfrac{1}{2}=2. Therefore, the required ratio is 216=18.\dfrac{2}{16}=\dfrac{1}{8}.
Thus, the correct answer is C .
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