The Logical approach to this question will start off with the understanding that since both triangles are regular triangles which share one equal leg (the width of the rectangle), all we need in order to find the ratio between their areas is to find the ratio between their other legs. Statement (1) doesn't relate to AE and EB, but statement (2) does - so the correct answer is (B).

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\(area \ of \ EDA=\frac{1}{2}*AD*AE\)
\(area \ of \ EBC=\frac{1}{2}*BC*BE\)

RATIO =\(\frac{1}{2}*AD*AE/\frac{1}{2}*BC*BE.\) BUT \(AD=BC\), SO RATIO IS \(\frac{AE}{BE}\).
WHICH STATEMENT 2 PROVIDES. imo, OPTION b.

Let \(w\) be the width of the rectangle. The original question: \(\frac{\frac{AE\cdot w}{2}}{\frac{EB\cdot w}{2}}=\frac{AE}{EB}=?\)

1) We know that \(w=4\), but no information is given about \(AE\) or \(EB\). Thus, we can't get a unique value to answer the original question. \(\implies\) Insufficient

2) We know that \(AE=2\) and \(EB=4\), so \(\frac{AE}{EB}=\frac{2}{4}=\frac{1}{2}\). Thus, the answer to the original question is a unique value. \(\implies\) Sufficient

Answer: B
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Hi All,

We're told that in the figure above, ABCD is a rectangular region. We're asked for the value of the ratio of (area of triangle EDA)/(area of triangle EBC)? This question is based on a couple of Geometry rules. It's worth noting that all 3 triangles (EDA, EBC and EDC) all have the SAME height (so the height of the triangles is actually IRRELEVENT to the question that is asked - as that number will 'cancel out' in the numerator and denominator of the fraction). Thus we ultimately need to know how the two 'bases' of EDA and EBC relate to one another to answer this question.

(1) AD = 4

Fact 1 gives us the height of the triangles, but that does not impact the question at all. The calculation would be:
(1/2)(Base of EDA)(4) / (1/2)(Based of EBC)(4) = ?
(Base of EDA) / (Base of EBC) = ?
Fact 1 is INSUFFICIENT

(2) AE = 2 and EB = 4

Fact 2 gives us the exact lengths of the two 'bases' - and that's all we need to answer the question. The answer would be 2/4 = 1/2
Fact 2 is SUFFICIENT

Final Answer:

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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We are finding the area, so we just need 1/2 BH.
They both share the same H so we just need to figure out the Base.
In 1) We are given the H, no thank you GMAT (this won't help us)
2) They give us 2 bases, well if the triangles share the same height then we can just compare the bases. Suff (B)
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Wanted: AE/EB?
Height doesn't matter since it cancelled out as it's the same for both

1) Not sufficient

2) Sufficient

Why EDA and EBC triangles are not right triangles here? as both of them are on Rectangular region hences they should be 30 60 90 degree triangle. and only the value of AD then will be sufficient to find out the area.

i have a question on this.

If the questions says "rectangular region" do we automatically assume that opoosite sides are of equal length?
I thought that a rectangle can have 4 sides of different length.

Rectangular region means that we have a rectangle, a quadrilateral with four right angles. So, its opposite sides are parallel and congruent. Check more here: Math: Polygons
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Hi johannaj,

A "quadrilateral" is any 4-sided shape (regardless of the length of the 4 sides). However, there are specific types of quadrilaterals that are based on how the sides (and the angles) relate to one another - including squares, rectangles, parallelograms, etc. - and knowing those math rules is essential to dealing with those shapes when they appear in questions.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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which is the common leg that is shared? it seems like 2 independent triangles. Could you please elaborate?

Hi Jaya6,

We're told that in the figure above, ABCD is a RECTANGULAR region. All 3 triangles (EDA, EBC and EDC) all have the SAME height (re: the height of the rectangle), meaning that the height of the triangles is actually IRRELEVENT to the question that is asked (as that number will 'cancel out' in the numerator and denominator of the fraction). Thus, we ultimately need to know how the two 'bases' of EDA and EBC relate to one another to answer this question.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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