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1989 AJHSME Problems/Problem 23

Revision as of 00:48, 30 November 2020 by Zoeyjii (talk | contribs) (→‎Solution)

Problem

An artist has $14$ cubes, each with an edge of $1$ meter. She stands them on the ground to form a sculpture as shown. She then paints the exposed surface of the sculpture. How many square meters does she paint?

$\text{(A)}\ 21 \qquad \text{(B)}\ 24 \qquad \text{(C)}\ 33 \qquad \text{(D)}\ 37 \qquad \text{(E)}\ 42$

[asy] draw((0,0)--(2.35,-.15)--(2.44,.81)--(.09,.96)--cycle); draw((.783333333,-.05)--(.873333333,.91)--(1.135,1.135)); draw((1.566666667,-.1)--(1.656666667,.86)--(1.89,1.1)); draw((2.35,-.15)--(4.3,1.5)--(4.39,2.46)--(2.44,.81)); draw((3,.4)--(3.09,1.36)--(2.61,1.4)); draw((3.65,.95)--(3.74,1.91)--(3.29,1.94)); draw((.09,.96)--(.76,1.49)--(.71,1.17)--(2.2,1.1)--(3.6,2.2)--(3.62,2.52)--(4.39,2.46)); draw((.76,1.49)--(.82,1.96)--(2.28,1.89)--(2.2,1.1)); draw((2.28,1.89)--(3.68,2.99)--(3.62,2.52)); draw((1.455,1.135)--(1.55,1.925)--(1.89,2.26)); draw((2.5,2.48)--(2.98,2.44)--(2.9,1.65)); draw((.82,1.96)--(1.55,2.6)--(1.51,2.3)--(2.2,2.26)--(2.9,2.8)--(2.93,3.05)--(3.68,2.99)); draw((1.55,2.6)--(1.59,3.09)--(2.28,3.05)--(2.2,2.26)); draw((2.28,3.05)--(2.98,3.59)--(2.93,3.05)); draw((1.59,3.09)--(2.29,3.63)--(2.98,3.59)); [/asy]

Solution

We can consider the contributions of the sides of the three layers and the tops of the layers separately.

Layer $n$ (counting from the top starting at $1$) has $4$ side faces each with $n$ unit squares, so the sides of the pyramid contribute $4+8+12=24$ for the surface area.

The tops of the layers when combined form the same arrangement of unit cubes as the bottom of the pyramid, which is a $3\times 3$ square, hence this contributes $9$ for the surface area.

You do not have to count the side underneath, since it is not exposed.

Thus, the artist paints $24+9=33 \rightarrow \boxed{\text{C}}$ square meters.

Solution

1989 AJHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 22 		Followed by
Problem 24
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25
All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions
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