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2005 AMC 10B Problem 7

Problem 7 of 25EasierGeometry

A circle is inscribed in a square, then a square is inscribed in this circle, and finally, a circle is inscribed in this square. What is the ratio of the area of the smaller circle to the area of the larger square?

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Solution

Let the smaller circle have radius r,r, so its area is πr2.\pi r^2. The smaller square, which circumscribes this circle, has side 2r,2r, and its diagonal 22r2\sqrt2\,r is the diameter of the larger circle. So the larger circle has radius 2r.\sqrt2\,r. The larger square circumscribes the larger circle, so it has side 22r2\sqrt2\,r and area 8r2.8r^2. The desired ratio is πr28r2=π8. \dfrac{\pi r^2}{8r^2} = \dfrac{\pi}{8}. Thus, B is the correct answer.

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Concepts: circle area · square (geometry) · area ratio

Problem text and solution from the LIVE past-contest archive. See also the AoPS wiki page for community solutions.