# Difference between revisions of "2005 PMWC Problems/Problem T8"

## Problem

An isosceles right triangle is removed from each corner of a square piece of paper so that a rectangle of unequal sides remains. If the sum of the areas of the cut-off pieces is and the lengths of the legs of the triangles cut off are integers, find the area of the rectangle.

## Solution

Since the figure in the middle is a rectangle, the isosceles triangles on opposite vertices are congruent. Let $x$ be a leg of the first two, and $y$ the other two. The sum of the areas of the triangle is then $2\left(\frac{1}{2}x^2\right) + 2\left(\frac{1}{2}y^2\right) = x^2 + y^2 = 200$. (Remember that the sides are of unequal lengths, so we exclude $x = y= 10$). Since squares $\equiv 0,1 \pmod{4}$, we can reduce our search to even integers, and a short bit of trial and error yield $x = 2, y = 14$ works.

Using subtraction of areas or 45-45-90 triangles, we find that the area of the rectangle is $(x + y)^2 - x^2 - y^2 = 2xy$; so the area of the rectangle is $2(2)(14) = 56$.