Question

Semicircles $POQ$ and $ROS$ pass through the center $O.$ What is the ratio of the combined areas of the two semicircles to the area of circle $O?$

$\dfrac{\sqrt 2}{4}$

$\dfrac{1}{2}$

$\dfrac{2}{\pi}$

$\dfrac{2}{3}$

$\dfrac{\sqrt 2}{2}$

Solution:

The area of each of the semicircles is $\pi \dfrac {r^2}{2} .$ Each of them has a radius of $1,$ so their combined area is $\pi \frac{1}{2} + \pi \frac 12 = \pi.$

Next, the radius of the larger circle is equal to the length of $OQ,$ which is equal to $\sqrt{1^2+1^2} = \sqrt 2.$ Its area is $\pi r^2 = \pi(\sqrt{2})^2 = 2\pi.$

This means the ratio is $\dfrac{\pi}{2\pi} = \frac 12.$

Thus, the answer is B .

2010 AMC 8 Problem 23

Solution:

Problem 23 in Other Years