Pile Driver

Weekly Problem 38 - 2015
Where does the line through P that halves the figure shown meet the edge XY?
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Problem

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Pile Driver


The diagram shows a figure made from six equal, touching squares arranged with a vertical line of symmetry. A straight line is drawn through the bottom corner $P$ in such a way that that the area of the figure is halved.

Where will the cut cross the edge $XY$?

If you liked this problem, here is an NRICH task that challenges you to use similar mathematical ideas.