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Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top face such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc. What is the distance between the midpoint of edge AB and the midpoint of edge EH if the area of square ABCD is 2?

1/sqrt2
1
sqrt2
sqrt3
2sqrt3

Please explain your answer.


sqrt 3.

let midpoint of EH = M
let midpoint of AB = N
Drop perpendicular from M to side AD on F
AN = (sqrt 2)/2
AF = (sqrt 2)/2
FN = [(sqrt 2)/2]^2 + [(sqrt 2)/2]^2 = 1
MN^2 = 1^2 + (sqrt 2)^2 = 3
MN = sqrt 3
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haha! I guesstimated D.

Midpoint AB=M1
Midpoint EF=M2
Midpoint EH=M3

Segment M1M2=sqrt2, hence, M1M3 had to be bigger than that.

Eliminate A, B, C.

Down to D, E. E = 2*1.7*=3.4, which is more than 2 times the segment between M1-M2. No way. D is the only one 8-)

Now, I'll learn how to solve it properly!
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I used deluxe pythag to solve....

We know that the area of the square is 2, therefore the side = sqrt2 or 2^1/2. We know the midpoints are (2^1/2)/2.

So in reality, we are just finding the main diagonal of a rectangular solid with lengths (2^1/2)/2, (2^1/2)/2, and (2^1/2); apply deluxe pythag theorum.

Find x - Main diagonal
((2^1/2)/2)^2 + ((2^1/2)/2)^2 + (2^1/2)^2 = x^2
(2/2)+(2/2)+2=x^2
1/2+1/2+2=x^2
3=x^2
3^1/2=x
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Why angle Z is the right angle?

Bunuel
Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top facet such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc. What is the distance between the midpoint of edge AB and the midpoint of edge EH if the area of square ABCD is 2?

A. \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\)
B. 1
C. \(\sqrt{2}\)
D. \(\sqrt{3}\)
E. \(2\sqrt{3}\)

Look at the diagram below:
Attachment:
Cube.png
Notice that Z is the midpoint of AD. We need to find the length of line segment XY.

Now, since the area of ABCD is 2 then each edge of the cube equals to \(\sqrt{2}\).

\(XZ=\sqrt{AX^2+AZ^2}=\sqrt{(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2+(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2}=1\);
\(XY=\sqrt{XZ^2+YZ^2}=\sqrt{1^2+(\sqrt{2})^2}=\sqrt{3}\).

Answer: D.
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Why angle Z is the right angle?

Bunuel
Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top facet such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc. What is the distance between the midpoint of edge AB and the midpoint of edge EH if the area of square ABCD is 2?

A. \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\)
B. 1
C. \(\sqrt{2}\)
D. \(\sqrt{3}\)
E. \(2\sqrt{3}\)

Look at the diagram below:
Attachment:
Cube.png
Notice that Z is the midpoint of AD. We need to find the length of line segment XY.

Now, since the area of ABCD is 2 then each edge of the cube equals to \(\sqrt{2}\).

\(XZ=\sqrt{AX^2+AZ^2}=\sqrt{(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2+(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2}=1\);
\(XY=\sqrt{XZ^2+YZ^2}=\sqrt{1^2+(\sqrt{2})^2}=\sqrt{3}\).

Answer: D.

YZ is perpendicular to plane ABCD. Hence any line segment which is on the same plane and originates from Z will also be perpendicular to YZ.

Does this make sense?
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amar13
Why angle Z is the right angle?

Bunuel
Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top facet such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc. What is the distance between the midpoint of edge AB and the midpoint of edge EH if the area of square ABCD is 2?

A. \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\)
B. 1
C. \(\sqrt{2}\)
D. \(\sqrt{3}\)
E. \(2\sqrt{3}\)

Look at the diagram below:
Attachment:
Cube.png
Notice that Z is the midpoint of AD. We need to find the length of line segment XY.

Now, since the area of ABCD is 2 then each edge of the cube equals to \(\sqrt{2}\).

\(XZ=\sqrt{AX^2+AZ^2}=\sqrt{(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2+(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2}=1\);
\(XY=\sqrt{XZ^2+YZ^2}=\sqrt{1^2+(\sqrt{2})^2}=\sqrt{3}\).

Answer: D.

YZ is perpendicular to plane ABCD. Hence any line segment which is on the same plane and originates from Z will also be perpendicular to YZ.

Does this make sense?


Bunuel,

Can u elaborate a bit more on how the line is perpendicular?
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Bunuel
Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top facet such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc. What is the distance between the midpoint of edge AB and the midpoint of edge EH if the area of square ABCD is 2?

A. \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\)
B. 1
C. \(\sqrt{2}\)
D. \(\sqrt{3}\)
E. \(2\sqrt{3}\)

Look at the diagram below:
Attachment:
Cube.png
Notice that Z is the midpoint of AD. We need to find the length of line segment XY.

Now, since the area of ABCD is 2 then each edge of the cube equals to \(\sqrt{2}\).

\(XZ=\sqrt{AX^2+AZ^2}=\sqrt{(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2+(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2}=1\);
\(XY=\sqrt{XZ^2+YZ^2}=\sqrt{1^2+(\sqrt{2})^2}=\sqrt{3}\).

Answer: D.
abcd looks like rombos and it is not like a square then how <xaz= 90?
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jayanthjanardhan


Bunuel,

Can u elaborate a bit more on how the line is perpendicular?

Planes ABCD and ADHE are perpendicular to each other. As such, any such lines drawn on these 2 mutually perpendicular planes will be perpendicular to each other.
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anik19890
Bunuel
Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top facet such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc. What is the distance between the midpoint of edge AB and the midpoint of edge EH if the area of square ABCD is 2?

A. \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\)
B. 1
C. \(\sqrt{2}\)
D. \(\sqrt{3}\)
E. \(2\sqrt{3}\)

Look at the diagram below:
Attachment:
Cube.png
Notice that Z is the midpoint of AD. We need to find the length of line segment XY.

Now, since the area of ABCD is 2 then each edge of the cube equals to \(\sqrt{2}\).

\(XZ=\sqrt{AX^2+AZ^2}=\sqrt{(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2+(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2}=1\);
\(XY=\sqrt{XZ^2+YZ^2}=\sqrt{1^2+(\sqrt{2})^2}=\sqrt{3}\).

Answer: D.
abcd looks like rombos and it is not like a square then how <xaz= 90?

ABCD can not be a hombus as it a face of a cube. All 6 faces in a cube are squares. The 1st few words of the question itself mention that ABCD is a square face of the cube.

Additionally, you are basing your observation on a 3D figure drawn on a 2D surface. This is going to lead to a bit of distortion and hence the square 'looks like' a rhombus. In reality, all 6 faces of a cube are square, by definition.
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Bunuel
Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top facet such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc. What is the distance between the midpoint of edge AB and the midpoint of edge EH if the area of square ABCD is 2?

A. \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\)
B. 1
C. \(\sqrt{2}\)
D. \(\sqrt{3}\)
E. \(2\sqrt{3}\)

Look at the diagram below:
Attachment:
Cube.png
Notice that Z is the midpoint of AD. We need to find the length of line segment XY.

Now, since the area of ABCD is 2 then each edge of the cube equals to \(\sqrt{2}\).

\(XZ=\sqrt{AX^2+AZ^2}=\sqrt{(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2+(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2}=1\);
\(XY=\sqrt{XZ^2+YZ^2}=\sqrt{1^2+(\sqrt{2})^2}=\sqrt{3}\).

Answer: D.

Hello Bunuel / chetan2u,

The answer will be different if EH were the diagonal of the square. I got this wrong because of that only.
Either the diagram should be given with the question or it must be mentioned that EH is not a diagonal. I can place E above A and etc in any manner right?

Please correct me if i am wrong.

Regards
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Bunuel
Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top facet such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc. What is the distance between the midpoint of edge AB and the midpoint of edge EH if the area of square ABCD is 2?

A. \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\)
B. 1
C. \(\sqrt{2}\)
D. \(\sqrt{3}\)
E. \(2\sqrt{3}\)

Look at the diagram below:
Attachment:
Cube.png
Notice that Z is the midpoint of AD. We need to find the length of line segment XY.

Now, since the area of ABCD is 2 then each edge of the cube equals to \(\sqrt{2}\).

\(XZ=\sqrt{AX^2+AZ^2}=\sqrt{(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2+(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2}=1\);
\(XY=\sqrt{XZ^2+YZ^2}=\sqrt{1^2+(\sqrt{2})^2}=\sqrt{3}\).

Answer: D.

Hello Bunuel / chetan2u,

The answer will be different if EH were the diagonal of the square. I got this wrong because of that only.
Either the diagram should be given with the question or it must be mentioned that EH is not a diagonal. I can place E above A and etc in any manner right?

Please correct me if i am wrong.

Regards


Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top facet such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc


this specifies that ABCD has EFGH over them in same sequence.
yes if it was not given E is over A, F over B etc, you would be correct..
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chetan2u
gmatexam439
Bunuel
Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top facet such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc. What is the distance between the midpoint of edge AB and the midpoint of edge EH if the area of square ABCD is 2?

A. \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\)
B. 1
C. \(\sqrt{2}\)
D. \(\sqrt{3}\)
E. \(2\sqrt{3}\)

Look at the diagram below:
Attachment:
The attachment Cube.png is no longer available
Notice that Z is the midpoint of AD. We need to find the length of line segment XY.

Now, since the area of ABCD is 2 then each edge of the cube equals to \(\sqrt{2}\).

\(XZ=\sqrt{AX^2+AZ^2}=\sqrt{(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2+(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})^2}=1\);
\(XY=\sqrt{XZ^2+YZ^2}=\sqrt{1^2+(\sqrt{2})^2}=\sqrt{3}\).

Answer: D.

Hello Bunuel / chetan2u,

The answer will be different if EH were the diagonal of the square. I got this wrong because of that only.
Either the diagram should be given with the question or it must be mentioned that EH is not a diagonal. I can place E above A and etc in any manner right?

Please correct me if i am wrong.

Regards


Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top facet such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc


this specifies that ABCD has EFGH over them in same sequence.
yes if it was not given E is over A, F over B etc, you would be correct..

Hello chetan2u,

I meant such a figure. In this E is over A, F over B etc, but still the answer will be different.

Am I missing anything here or is the question flawed?

Regards
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Untitled.png
Untitled.png [ 4.85 KiB | Viewed 14481 times ]

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Bunuel / chetan2u,

Awaiting your response on my above doubt. Please reply.

Regards
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gmatexam439
Bunuel / chetan2u,

Awaiting your response on my above doubt. Please reply.

Regards

hi..

when a square is given as ABCD, it would mean the corners would be named accordingly ..
AB
DC
or
BA
CD..
when you read in clockwise or anticlockwise, it should read ABCD..
in the example given by you, the square is ABDC
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Square ABCD is the base of the cube while square EFGH is the cube's top facet such that point E is above point A, point F is above point B etc. What is the distance between the midpoint of edge AB and the midpoint of edge EH if the area of square ABCD is 2?

A. \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\)
B. 1
C. \(\sqrt{2}\)
D. \(\sqrt{3}\)
E. \(2\sqrt{3}\)

m14 q23

Please find teh solution as attached

Answer: Option D
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Screenshot 2019-06-18 at 12.49.48 PM.png [ 265.37 KiB | Viewed 4140 times ]

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