Math Problem Statement

All of the quadrilaterals in the shape below are squares. Find the area of the shaded region.

Solution

The problem involves finding the area of the shaded region in a figure where all the quadrilaterals are squares. Let's analyze the given figure and work through the solution step by step.

Analysis:

  1. Identify Square Sizes:

    • The bottom square has a side length of 10 units.
    • The square on the right has a side length of 15 units.
    • The top-left square (shaded region) is what we need to determine.
  2. Relationship Between the Squares:

    • Since the shape is composed of squares, and each square is tangent to at least one other square, we can use the properties of squares to determine the unknown side lengths.

    Let's denote the side length of the shaded square as ss.

    The entire height of the right column (composed of the 15-unit and shaded squares) must be equal to the side of the larger bottom square, plus the side of the smaller square in the bottom left.

    Thus, the side of the bottom square plus the side of the shaded square should equal the side of the square in the right column:

    10+s=1510 + s = 15

  3. Solving for ss: s=1510=5 unitss = 15 - 10 = 5 \text{ units}

  4. Area of the Shaded Square: The area of the shaded square is given by: Area=s2=52=25 square units\text{Area} = s^2 = 5^2 = 25 \text{ square units}

Conclusion:

The area of the shaded region is 25 square units.

Would you like further details or have any questions about the solution?

Here are five questions that expand on this topic:

  1. How do you determine the area of a square given its perimeter?
  2. What is the relationship between the side lengths of squares that are aligned along a common edge?
  3. Can the area of a square be determined if only the diagonal length is known? How?
  4. How would the solution change if the larger square (side 15 units) was not given and only the total height of the figure was known?
  5. How does the concept of similar figures apply to squares of different sizes?

Tip: When solving geometric problems involving squares or other polygons, it’s often helpful to set up equations based on the relationships between the sides, especially when the figures are connected or share common sides.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Area Calculation

Formulas

Area of a square = side^2

Theorems

Pythagorean theorem (implicitly involved when analyzing squares and their alignment)

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8