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1997 PMWC Problems/Problem T1

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Problem

Let PQR be an equilateral triangle with sides of length three units. U, V, W, X, Y, and Z divide the sides into lengths of one unit. Find the ratio of the area of the shaded quadrilateral UWXY to the area of the triangle PQR.

Image:1997 PMWC team 1.png

Solution

Triangles UWQ, PUY, UWX, and UXY are all right triangles with side lengths 1, \sqrt{3}, and 2. Thus [UWXY]=\sqrt{3} and [PQR]=\frac{9}{4}\sqrt{3}. \frac{[UWXY]}{[PQR]}=\frac{1}{\frac{9}{4}}=\boxed{\frac{4}{9}}

See also

1997 PMWC (Problems)
Preceded by
Problem I15
Followed by
Problem T2
I: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
T: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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