2006 AMC 10B Problem 5

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 5 of the 2006 AMC 10B, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2006 AMC 10B solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:square (geometry)rectangleoptimization

Difficulty rating: 1060

5.

A 2×32 \times 3 rectangle and a 3×43 \times 4 rectangle are contained within a square without overlapping at any interior point, and the sides of the square are parallel to the sides of the two given rectangles. What is the smallest possible area of the square?

1616

2525

3636

4949

6464

Solution:

Place the rectangles side by side with their 33-length sides vertical. Their widths add to 2+3=5,2+3=5, and the heights 33 and 44 both fit within 5.5.

The side cannot be smaller than 5,5, since the two smaller dimensions 22 and 33 must be accommodated. The smallest area is 52=25.5^2=25.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

Problem 5 in Other Years