Bunuel

Each edge of the cube shown above has length s. What is the perimeter of ∆ BDE?
(A) 3s
(B) 6s
(C) s√3/2
(D) 3s√2
(E) 2s + s√2
Attachment:
2017-12-01_0947.png
Each side of ∆ BDE is the hypotenuse of a two-dimensional isosceles right triangle.
They are congruent, and there are three: ∆ BCD, ∆ CDE, and ∆ BCE
Each has side length \(s\) (= BC, CD, and CE)
Because they are one-half of a square:
All have angle measures of 45-45-90 and
corresponding side lengths*
\(x : x : x\sqrt{2}\)Side/leg length \(x = s\)
Hypotenuse, per ratio, hence is
\(s\sqrt{2}\) , which =
Length of all three sides of ∆ BDE
Perimeter of ∆ BDE
Three sides of length
\(s\sqrt{2}\) =
\(3s\sqrt{2}\)Answer D
*Knowing those ratios is key, but if not:
A square cut by a diagonal produces two right isosceles triangles
The relationship between one leg of such a triangle its hypotenuse (also the square's diagonal)
\(h = s\sqrt{2}\) , derived from Pythagorean theorem:
\(s^2 + s^2 = h^2\)
\(2s^2 = h^2\)
\(\sqrt{2}\sqrt{s^2} = \sqrt{h^2}\)
\(\sqrt{2}s = h\)
\(h = s\sqrt{2}\)