Difference between revisions of "1997 AIME Problems/Problem 2"

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For <math>s</math>, there are <math>8^2</math> [[unit square]]s, <math>7^2</math> of the <math>2\times2</math> squares, and so on until <math>1^2</math> of the <math>8\times 8</math> squares. Using the sum of squares formula, that gives us <math>s=1^2+2^2+\cdots+8^2=\dfrac{(8)(8+1)(2\cdot8+1)}{6}=12*17=204</math>.
 
For <math>s</math>, there are <math>8^2</math> [[unit square]]s, <math>7^2</math> of the <math>2\times2</math> squares, and so on until <math>1^2</math> of the <math>8\times 8</math> squares. Using the sum of squares formula, that gives us <math>s=1^2+2^2+\cdots+8^2=\dfrac{(8)(8+1)(2\cdot8+1)}{6}=12*17=204</math>.
  
Thus <math>\frac rs = \dfrac{204}{1296}=\dfrac{17}{108}</math>, and <math>m+n=\boxed{125}</math>.
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Thus <math>\frac sr = \dfrac{204}{1296}=\dfrac{17}{108}</math>, and <math>m+n=\boxed{125}</math>.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 18:11, 29 August 2011

Problem

The nine horizontal and nine vertical lines on an $8\times8$ checkerboard form $r$ rectangles, of which $s$ are squares. The number $s/r$ can be written in the form $m/n,$ where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m + n.$

Solution

To determine the two horizontal sides of a rectangle, we have to pick two of the horizontal lines of the checkerboard, or ${9\choose 2} = 36$. Similarily, there are ${9\choose 2}$ ways to pick the vertical sides, giving us $r = 1296$ rectangles.

For $s$, there are $8^2$ unit squares, $7^2$ of the $2\times2$ squares, and so on until $1^2$ of the $8\times 8$ squares. Using the sum of squares formula, that gives us $s=1^2+2^2+\cdots+8^2=\dfrac{(8)(8+1)(2\cdot8+1)}{6}=12*17=204$.

Thus $\frac sr = \dfrac{204}{1296}=\dfrac{17}{108}$, and $m+n=\boxed{125}$.

See also

1997 AIME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 1
Followed by
Problem 3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions