How many square inches are contained in the figure below?


 


Solution to the Problem:

The Area is three square inches.

Extend the horizontal line on the top and the vertical line on the right until they meet at point B.   This forms a large right triangle whose dimensions are 3", 4", and 5".
The area of the entire triangle is 1/2 x 3 x 4 = 6 square inches.
Note that if you subtract the three one-inch squares from this total, you get 6 - 3 = 3 square inches for the area of the figure you were given (shaded in red).


Correctly solved by:

1. John Funk Ventura, California
2. Richard Johnson La Jolla, California
3. Jacob Harmon Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
4. Les Walker Ventura, California
5. David & Judy Dixon Bennettsville, South Carolina
6. Jeremy Harmon Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
7. Tony Weaver Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
8. Jaci Egley Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
9. Halie Gardner Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
10. Megan Martin John Handley High School,
Winchester, Virginia
11. Lindsay Pilong ----------