2003 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 23
Contents
Problem
A large equilateral triangle is constructed by using toothpicks to create rows of small equilateral triangles. For example, in the figure we have rows of small congruent equilateral triangles, with 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 small equilateral triangles?
Solution 1
There are small equilateral triangles.
Each small equilateral triangle needs toothpicks to make it.
But, each toothpick that isn't one of the toothpicks on the outside of the large equilateral triangle is a side for small equilateral triangles.
So, the number of toothpicks on the inside of the large equilateral triangle is
Therefore the total number of toothpicks is
Solution 2
We see that the bottom row of small triangles is formed from downward-facing triangles and upward-facing triangles. Since each downward-facing triangle uses three distinct toothpicks, and since the total number of downward-facing triangles is , we have that the total number of toothpicks is
See Also
2003 AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 22 |
Followed by Problem 24 | |
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All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions |