Difference between revisions of "2023 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 11"

m (changed shorten to shorter (grammar))
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==Solution==
 
==Solution==
  
Denote by <math>x</math> the length of the shorten base.
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Denote by <math>x</math> the length of the shorter base.
 
Thus, the height of the trapezoid is
 
Thus, the height of the trapezoid is
 
<cmath>
 
<cmath>

Revision as of 19:45, 15 November 2023

Solution

Denote by $x$ the length of the shorter base. Thus, the height of the trapezoid is \begin{align*} \sqrt{1^2 - \left( \frac{x}{2} \right)^2} . \end{align*}

Thus, the area of the trapezoid is \begin{align*} \frac{1}{2} \left( x + 2 x \right) \sqrt{1^2 - \left( \frac{x}{2} \right)^2}  & = \frac{3}{4} \sqrt{x^2 \left( 4 - x^2 \right)} \\ & \leq \frac{3}{4} \frac{x^2 + \left( 4 - x^2 \right)}{2} \\ & = \boxed{\textbf{(D) } \frac{3}{2}} , \end{align*}

where the inequality follows from the AM-GM inequality and it is binding if and only if $x^2 = 4 - x^2$.

~Steven Chen (Professor Chen Education Palace, www.professorchenedu.com)