geet1234
Hi all,
I am confused in a problem. Please help me.
In rectangle ABCD, side BC is twice as long as side AB. Point E is on side CD with DE:EC = 1:2. Segments BE and AC intersect at point F. The area of quadrilateral AFED is what fraction of the area of rectangle ABCD? Express your answer as a common fraction.
ans : 1/6. Please tell me how to do it.
Thanks,
Geet
Very good question, but I doubt if (a) this is a GMAT level question, its much harder and (b) if 1/6 is the answer. See below my detailed answer
gmat1011
i get 2/3 if i assume a line joining F to a point on EC (say G) when drawn parallel to BC results in DE = EG = GC (but this step and am not being able to base on any property)
This assumption is incorrect
The solutionLet AB=CD=x
Then BC=AD=2x
In triangle FCE construct the perpendicular from vertex F onto side EC, let it intersect the side EC at G.
Lets call angle FCG \(\theta_1\)
Lets call angle FEG \(\theta_2\)
FG = GC * \(Tan(\theta_1)\) = GE * \(Tan(\theta_2)\)
We also know that \(tan(\theta_1) = \frac{AD}{DC} = 2\)
and that \(tan(\theta_2) = \frac{BC}{EC} = \frac{2x}{2x/3} = 3\)
Lets say GC = \(\alpha\) and GE = \(\beta\)
Therefore \(\alpha * tan(\theta_1) = \beta * tan(\theta_2)\)
OR \(\alpha * 2 = \beta * 3\)
Also GE + GC = EC = 2/3 * CD = 2/3 * x
Therefore \(\alpha + \beta = 2/3 * x\)
Solving these two equations in \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\), we get \(\beta = 4/15 x ; \alpha = 6/15 x\)
Area of AFED = Area (ACD) - Area (FCE) = 0.5 * AD * CD - 0.5 * EC * FG =\(x^2 - 0.5 * 2/3 x * EG * Tan(\theta_2) = x^2 - 0.5 * 2/3x * 4/15x * 3 = x^2 (1 - \frac{4}{15}) = x^2 * \frac{11}{15}\)
Area of ABCD = x * 2x = \(2x^2\)
Therefore,
\(\frac{Area(AFED)}{Area(ABCD)} = \frac{11}{30}\)