1966 AMC 12 Problem 2

Attempt Problem 2 of the 1966 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1966 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

2.

When the base of a triangle is increased 10%10\% and the altitude to this base is decreased 10%,10\%, the change in area is:
1%1\% increase
12%\dfrac12\% increase
0%0\%
12%\dfrac12\% decrease
1%1\% decrease
Answer: E
Concepts:percentagetriangle area
Small hint:
The area is proportional to the product of base and altitude
Big hint:
Multiply the scale factors 1.11.1 and 0.90.9
Solution:
The new area is 1.1⋅0.9=0.991.1\cdot0.9=0.99 times the old area. It is therefore 1%1\% smaller.
Thus, the correct answer is E.
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