Question

A large equilateral triangle is constructed by using toothpicks to create rows of small equilateral triangles. For example, in the figure we have $3$ rows of small congruent equilateral triangles, with $5$ small triangles in the base row. How many toothpicks would be needed to construct a large equilateral triangle if the base row of the triangle consists of $2003$ small equilateral triangles?

$1{,}004{,}004$

$1{,}005{,}006$

$1{,}507{,}509$

$3{,}015{,}018$

$6{,}021{,}018$

Solution:

A triangle with $n$ rows has $2n - 1$ small triangles in its base row, so $2n - 1 = 2003$ gives $n = 1002.$

Each row $k$ requires $3k$ toothpicks, so the total is $3(1 + 2 + \cdots + 1002).$

This equals $3 \cdot \dfrac{1002 \cdot 1003}{2} = 1{,}507{,}509.$

Thus, the correct answer is C.

2003 AMC 10A Problem 23

Solution:

Problem 23 in Other Years