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805+ Level|   Geometry|         
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for ∆ ABE and ∆ BCE
AB/ BE = BE / BC
AB * BC = BE^2
x^2 = 5
x= √5
area of square ; 5
option D

Bunuel

In the image above, if \(AE = \sqrt{17}\), \(BE = \sqrt{5}\), and \(CE = \sqrt{13}\) then what is the area of square ABCD?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 6


 


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Bunuel

In the image above, if \(AE = \sqrt{17}\), \(BE = \sqrt{5}\), and \(CE = \sqrt{13}\) then what is the area of square ABCD?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 6


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT Club Olympics Competition

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Attachment:
Untitled3.png

We know the property of triangle that sum of 2 sides will always be more than the other side. Hence, if we convert the sides of both triangles into near integers such as √17 is little more than 4, √13 is little more than 3 and √5 is little more than 2.
We also know that ABCD is a square - i.e. all sides must be equal.
Logically, we need to find a solution (say 'x') such that
A - i) x + 2 > 4, ii) x + 4 > 2, iii) 4 + 2 > x in 1st triangle ABE
and
B - i) x + 2 > 3 ii) x + 3 > 2, iii) 2 + 3 > x in 2nd triangle CBE

Hence,
Option A is eliminated because if we consider x to be 2, it does not satisfy the equation Ai)
Option D is eliminated because if we consider x to be 5, it does not satisfy Biii)
Option E is eliminated because if we consider x to be 6, it does not satisfy Aiii) and Biii)
Out of option B & C I guessed Option C
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Bunuel

In the image above, if \(AE = \sqrt{17}\), \(BE = \sqrt{5}\), and \(CE = \sqrt{13}\) then what is the area of square ABCD?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 6


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT Club Olympics Competition

Win over $40,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

 



Attachment:
Untitled3.png

We can utilise the property: Any side of a rectangle will be more than the difference of the other two sides and less than the sum of other two sides.


Take triangle ABE
AE=\(\sqrt{17}=4.1\)
BE=\(\sqrt{5}=2.2\)
So AB is between 4.1-2.2 and 4.1+2.2, that is 1.9 and 6.3

Take triangle CBE
CE=\(\sqrt{15}=3.6\)
BE=\(\sqrt{5}=2.2\)
So AB is between 3.6-2.2 and 3.6+2.2, that is 1.6 and 5.8

5 means each side is \(\sqrt{5}\), making each ABE and CBE as isosceles. This case is not possible as then both AE and BE would be equal.

Only possibility is 4, as each side is 2.


C
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Bunuel

In the image above, if \(AE = \sqrt{17}\), \(BE = \sqrt{5}\), and \(CE = \sqrt{13}\) then what is the area of square ABCD?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 6


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT Club Olympics Competition

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Attachment:
The attachment Untitled3.png is no longer available

Please refer to the attachment for a better understanding.



Let's assume each side of sq is s and <EBC = x;

Then <EBA = 270-x;

Now apply cosine theorem on EBC triangle;

cos(x) = \(s^2 + 5 -13 / 2s\sqrt{5}\).
=> cos x = \(s^2-8/2s\sqrt{5}\)

Similarly, we can apply the cosine theorem for EBA;

cos(270-x) =\( s^2 + 5 -17/2s\sqrt{5}\)
=> +/- sin x = \(s^2-12/2s\sqrt{5}\)

As we know \((sin x)^2 + (cos x)^2 =1\);

If we slove the equation we will end up \(s^4 -30*s^2+104 =0\);

By solving this we will get s^2 as 4 or 26;

But 26 won't satisfy the given conditions, Hence S^2, which is area of the square, is 4;

IMO C
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Explanation:

Extended lines AD to Point G, AB to Point I & BC to Point H, GE is Parallel line to AI, EF||HC , DC extends to F as shown in the attached figure.
As ABCD is square, Let side of square is a
AB = BC = CD = DA = GH = IF = a
HE = CF = BI = b
GA = HB = EI = c

in Right angle Triangle BEI,
BE^2 = BI^2 + IE^2
(√5)^2 = b^2 + c^2
b^2 + c^2 = 5 ---- Eqn 1

in right angle triangle EHC,
CH^2 + HE^2 = EC^2
(a+c)^2 + b^2 = (√13)^2
a^2 + c^2 + 2ac + b^2 = 13
Putting value of b^2 + c^2 from Eqn 1,
a^2 + 2ac = 8
c = (8-a^2)/(2a) --- Eqn 2

Similarly in right angle triangle AEI
AI^2 + IE^2 = AE^2
(a+b)^2 + c^2 =(√17)^2
a^2 + b^2 + 2ab + c^2 = 17
Putting value of b^2 + c^2 from Eqn 1,
a^2 + 2ab = 12
b = (12 - a^2)/2a -- Eqn 3

Putting the value of c & b in Eqn 1,
b^2 + c^2 = 5
{(8-a^2)/(2a)}^2 + {(12 - a^2)/(2a)}^2 = 5
64 + (a^4) - 16a^2 + 144 + a^4 - 24a^2 = 5*4a^2
2a^4 - 40a^2 + 208 = 20a^2
2(a^2)^2 - 60a^2 + 208 = 0

b = -60
a = 2
c = 208
the roots of the quadratic equation = {−b ± √(b^2−4ac)} / 2a
a^2 (which is area of Square ABCD) = 60 ± √(3600 − 4x2x208) / 2x2
= 60 ± √(3600 − 1664) / 4
= 60 ± 44 / 4
= 26 ; 4

4 is in option

IMO-C
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Bunuel

In the image above, if \(AE = \sqrt{17}\), \(BE = \sqrt{5}\), and \(CE = \sqrt{13}\) then what is the area of square ABCD?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 6



Attachment:
Untitled3.png

Answer: Option C

Step-by-Step Video solution by GMATinsight

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