1993 AHSME Problems/Problem 13

Problem

A square of perimeter 20 is inscribed in a square of perimeter 28. What is the greatest distance between a vertex of the inner square and a vertex of the outer square?

$\text{(A) } \sqrt{58}\quad \text{(B) } \frac{7\sqrt{5}}{2}\quad \text{(C) } 8\quad \text{(D) } \sqrt{65}\quad \text{(E) } 5\sqrt{3}$

Solution

Assume one of the segments bisected by the inscribed square has length $x$ . Thus, the alternate segment has length $7-x$ . Applying Pythagorean's Theorem, $x^2+(x-7)^2=5^2$ . Simplifying, $(x-3)(x-4)=0$ , so $x=3$ or $x=4$ (it does not matter, as rotations produce the same figure). The longest line that can be made forms a right triangle with legs of $4$ and $7$ . $\sqrt{4^2+7^2}=\sqrt{65} \rightarrow \boxed{D}$

1993 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 12	Followed by Problem 14
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1993 AHSME Problems/Problem 13

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