2009 AMC 8 Problem 4

Attempt Problem 4 of the 2009 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 2009 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

4.

The five pieces shown below can be arranged to form four of the five figures below. Which figure cannot be formed?
Answer: B
Concepts:tiling
Small hint:
Look for a feature in the five pieces that must appear in the final figure.
Big hint:
The long 55-square piece must fit as an unbroken segment somewhere.
Solution:
Note that option B does not have any segments in it that are 55 blocks long. This means that it is impossible to arrange the 55 block long piece to fit within the figure.
Thus, B is the correct answer.
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