2015 AMC 8 Problem 25

Attempt Problem 25 of the 2015 AMC 8 below, then check your answer against the video solution and professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2015 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

25.

One-inch squares are cut from the corners of this 55 inch square. What is the area in square inches of the largest square that can be fitted into the remaining space?
9 9
1212 12\dfrac{1}{2}
15 15
1512 15\dfrac{1}{2}
17 17
Answer: C
Concepts:square (geometry)area decomposition
Small hint:
The fitted square can be tilted around the central 3×33\times3 square.
Big hint:
Add the central square area and the four congruent corner triangles.
Video solution:
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Written solution:
For a largest fitted square, each side must touch an inner corner of one of the removed 11-inch squares; otherwise the fitted square could be enlarged. Thus it surrounds the central 3×33\times3 square and adds four congruent right triangles, one along each side.
The central square has area 3⋅3=9.3\cdot3=9. Each added triangle has base 33 and height 1,1, so the four triangles have total area 4(3⋅12)=6.4\left(\dfrac{3\cdot1}{2}\right)=6.
The fitted square has area 9+6=15.9+6=15.
Thus, C is the correct answer.
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