Question

In the figure below, the outside square contains infinitely many squares, each of them with the same center and sides parallel to the outside square. The ratio of the side length of a square to the side length of the next inner square is $k,$ where $0 \lt k \lt 1.$ The spaces between squares are alternately shaded, as shown in the figure (which is not necessarily drawn to scale).

The area of the shaded portion of the figure is $64\%$ of the area of the original square. What is $k?$

$\dfrac{3}{5}$

$\dfrac{16}{25}$

$\dfrac{2}{3}$

$\dfrac{3}{4}$

$\dfrac{4}{5}$

Solution:

Let the outer side be $1.$ The squares have sides $1, k, k^2, \ldots,$ and the shaded rings alternate, so the shaded area is $1 - k^2 + k^4 - k^6 + \cdots = \frac{1}{1 + k^2}.$ We're told this equals $64\% = \frac{16}{25},$ so $1 + k^2 = \frac{25}{16}.$ Then $k^2 = \frac{9}{16},$ giving $k = \frac{3}{4}.$ Thus, D is the correct answer.

2025 AMC 10A Problem 13

Solution:

Problem 13 in Other Years