2003 AMC 8 Problem 6

Attempt Problem 6 of the 2003 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 2003 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

6.

Given the areas of the three squares in the figure, what is the area of the interior triangle?
1313
3030
6060
300300
18001800
Answer: B
Concepts:Pythagorean Tripletriangle area
Small hint:
The square areas give the side lengths of the three squares.
Big hint:
The side lengths form a 5−12−135-12-13 right triangle.
Solution:
The side lengths of the squares are 169=13, \sqrt{169} = 13,144=12, \sqrt{144} = 12, and 25=5. \sqrt{25} = 5. These lengths form a Pythagorean triple.
Therefore, the interior triangle is right. Its area is 12⋅5⋅12=30. \dfrac{1}{2} \cdot 5 \cdot 12 = 30.
Thus, B is the correct answer.
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