# Difference between revisions of "2008 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 10"

## Problem

Each of the sides of a square $S_1$ with area $16$ is bisected, and a smaller square $S_2$ is constructed using the bisection points as vertices. The same process is carried out on $S_2$ to construct an even smaller square $S_3$. What is the area of $S_3$?

$\mathrm{(A)}\ \frac{1}{2}\qquad\mathrm{(B)}\ 1\qquad\mathrm{(C)}\ 2\qquad\mathrm{(D)}\ 3\qquad\mathrm{(E)}\ 4$

## Solution 1

Since the area of the large square is $16$, the side length equals $4$. If all sides are bisected, the resulting square has side length $2\sqrt{2}$, thus making the area $8$. If we repeat this process again, we notice that the area is just half that of the previous square, so the area of $S_{3} = 4 \longrightarrow \fbox{E}$

## Solution 2

Since the length ratio is $\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$, then the area ratio is $\frac{1}{2}$ (since the area ratio between two similar 2-dimensional objects is equal to the side ratio of those objects squared). This means that $S_2 = 8$ and $S_3 = \boxed{\textbf{(E) }4}$.