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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 22 r2\sqrt2\,r is the diameter of the larger circle. So the larger circle has radius 2 r.\sqrt2\,r. The larger square circumscribes the larger circle, so it has side 22 r2\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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Tagged: circle area · square (geometry) · area ratio

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