AoPSWiki
Want to learn how to tackle those tough MATHCOUNTS and AMC counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Counting & Probability by David Patrick.

1999 AHSME Problems/Problem 2

From AoPSWiki

Contents

Problem

Which of the following statements is false?

\mathrm{(A) \ All\ equilateral\ triangles\ are\ congruent\ to\ each\ other.} \mathrm{(B) \  All\ equilateral\ triangles\ are\ convex.} \mathrm{(C) \  All\ equilateral\ triangles\ are\ equianguilar.} \mathrm{(D) \  All\ equilateral\ triangles\ are\ regular\ polygons.} \mathrm{(E) \  All\ equilateral\ triangles\ are\ similar\ to\ each\ other.}

Solutions

Solution 1

An equilateral triangle is isosceles, and we find that \angle A=\angle B=\angle C if we use the property of isosceles triangles that if two sides of a triangle are equal then the opposite angles are equal. Thus equilateral triangles are equiangular. Regular pentagons are both equilateral and equiangular, and so are equilateral triangles. Thus equilateral triangles are regular polygons. Since all of the angles are the same, all equilateral triangles are similar. Since \angle A=\angle B=\angle C and \angle A+\angle B+\angle C=180, \angle A=60^{\circ}. Since no other angles are above 180^{\circ}, all equilateral triangles are convex. This just leaves choice \boxed{\mathrm{(A)}}.

Solution 2

Congruent triangles have the same side length.
Sorry, the GeoGebra Applet could not be started. Please make sure that Java 1.4.2 (or later) is installed and activated. (click here to install Java now)

The image above disproves \boxed{\mathrm{(A)}}.

See also

1999 AHSME (Problems)
Preceded by
Problem 1
Followed by
Problem 3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Our Precalculus course starts on Dec. 4. Master trig, complex numbers, and vectors and matrices in 2 and 3 dimensions. Click here to enroll today!
© Copyright 2008 AoPS Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. • FoundationPrivacyContact Us