Crazy Shading
Can you work out the fraction of the larger square that is covered by the shaded area?
Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
Problem
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The diagram show four circles each of which touches the largest square and two adjacent circles. A second square has its vertices at the midpoints of the sides of the largest square and the central square has its vertices at the centres of the circles.
What is the ratio of the total shaded area to the area of the outer square?
If you liked this problem, here is an NRICH task which challenges you to use similar mathematical ideas.
Student Solutions
Answer: 1:4
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