ISEE Upper Level Quantitative : Geometry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Quantitative

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Example Questions

Example Question #201 : Plane Geometry

Inscribed angle 4

Figure NOT drawn to scale

In the above diagram, \(\displaystyle BA = AX \sqrt{2}\).

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) \(\displaystyle m \overarc{AD}\)

(b) \(\displaystyle m \overarc{BC}\)

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

(a) and (b) are equal

(a) is the greater quantity

(b) is the greater quantity

Correct answer:

(a) and (b) are equal

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup AXB\) is a right triangle whose hypotenuse \(\displaystyle \overline{AB}\) has length \(\displaystyle \sqrt{2}\) times that of leg \(\displaystyle \overline{AX}\). This is characteristic of a triangle whose acute angles both have measure \(\displaystyle 45 ^{\circ }\) -and consequently, whose acute angles are congruent. Therefore,

\(\displaystyle \angle A \cong \angle B\)

These inscribed angles being congruent, the arcs they intercept, \(\displaystyle \overarc{AD}\) and \(\displaystyle \overarc{BC}\), are also congruent.

 

Example Question #201 : Plane Geometry

Inscribed angle 4

Figure NOT drawn to scale

In the above diagram, \(\displaystyle m \overarc {BC } = 100^{\circ }\).

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) \(\displaystyle m \angle A\)

(b) \(\displaystyle m \angle B\)

Possible Answers:

(a) and (b) are equal

(b) is the greater quantity

(a) is the greater quantity

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

Correct answer:

(a) is the greater quantity

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \angle A\) is an inscribed angle, so its degree measure is half that of the arc it intercepts, \(\displaystyle \overarc {BC }\):

\(\displaystyle m \angle A = \frac{1}{2} \cdot m \overarc {BC } = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 100^{\circ } = 50^{\circ }\).

\(\displaystyle \angle A\) and \(\displaystyle \angle B\) are acute angles of right triangle \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup AXB\). They are therefore complimentary - that is, their degree measures total \(\displaystyle 90^{\circ }\). Consequently,

\(\displaystyle m \angle B+ m \angle A = 90^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle m \angle B+ 50 ^{\circ } = 90^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle m \angle B+ 50 ^{\circ }- 50 ^{\circ } = 90^{\circ } - 50 ^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle m \angle B = 40 ^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle m \angle A > m \angle B\).

Example Question #1 : Other Quadrilaterals

Three of the interior angles of a quadrilateral measure \(\displaystyle 100 ^{\circ }\)\(\displaystyle 105^{\circ }\), and \(\displaystyle 110 ^{\circ }\). What is the measure of the fourth interior angle?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 25^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 15 ^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 35^{\circ }\)

This quadrilateral cannot exist.

\(\displaystyle 45^{\circ }\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 45^{\circ }\)

Explanation:

The measures of the angles of a quadrilateral have sum \(\displaystyle 360^{\circ }\). If \(\displaystyle x\) is the measure of the unknown angle, then:

\(\displaystyle x + 100 + 105 + 110 = 360\)

\(\displaystyle x + 315= 360\)

\(\displaystyle x + 315-315= 360-315\)

\(\displaystyle x = 45\)

The measure of the fourth angle is \(\displaystyle 45^{\circ }\).

Example Question #2 : Quadrilaterals

In a certain quadrilateral, three of the angles are \(\displaystyle 65^{\circ}\), \(\displaystyle 120^{\circ}\), and \(\displaystyle 34^{\circ}\). What is the measure of the fourth angle?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 29^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 219^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 141^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 139^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 41^{\circ}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 141^{\circ}\)

Explanation:

A quadrilateral has four angles totalling \(\displaystyle 360^{\circ}\). So, first add up the three angles given. The sum is \(\displaystyle 219^{\circ}\). Then, subtract that from 360. This gives you the missing angle, which is \(\displaystyle 141^{\circ}\).

Example Question #201 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Quantitative Reasoning

The angles of Quadrilateral A measure \(\displaystyle 80^{\circ }, 80^{\circ }, 80^{\circ }, x^{\circ }\)

The angles of Pentagon B measure \(\displaystyle 100^{\circ }, 100^{\circ }, 100^{\circ }, 100^{\circ }, y^{\circ }\)

Which is the greater quantity?

(A) \(\displaystyle x\)

(B) \(\displaystyle y\)

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

(A) and (B) are equal

(B) is greater

(A) is greater

Correct answer:

(B) is greater

Explanation:

The sum of the measures of the angles of a quadrilateral is \(\displaystyle 360^{\circ }\); the sum of the measures if a pentagon is \(\displaystyle 540^{\circ }\). Therefore, 

\(\displaystyle x + 80 + 80 + 80 = 360\)

\(\displaystyle x + 240 = 360\)

\(\displaystyle x = 120\)

and 

\(\displaystyle y + 100+ 100+ 100+ 100 = 540\)

\(\displaystyle y + 4 00 = 540\)

\(\displaystyle y = 140\)

\(\displaystyle y > x\), so (B) is greater.

Example Question #1 : Other Quadrilaterals

Three of the interior angles of a quadrilateral measure \(\displaystyle 100 ^{\circ }\)\(\displaystyle 105^{\circ }\), and \(\displaystyle 110 ^{\circ }\). What is the measure of the fourth interior angle?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 35^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 25^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 15 ^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 45^{\circ }\)

This quadrilateral cannot exist.

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 45^{\circ }\)

Explanation:

The measures of the angles of a quadrilateral have sum \(\displaystyle 360^{\circ }\). If \(\displaystyle x\) is the measure of the unknown angle, then:

\(\displaystyle x + 100 + 105 + 110 = 360\)

\(\displaystyle x + 315= 360\)

\(\displaystyle x + 315-315= 360-315\)

\(\displaystyle x = 45\)

The measure of the fourth angle is \(\displaystyle 45^{\circ }\).

Example Question #1 : Quadrilaterals

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) The perimeter of a square with sidelength 1 meter

(b) The perimeter of a regular pentagon with sidelength 75 centimeters

Possible Answers:

(a) is greater.

(b) is greater.

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

(a) and (b) are equal.

Correct answer:

(a) is greater.

Explanation:

(a) One meter is equal to 100 centimeters; a square with this sidelength has perimeter \(\displaystyle 100 \times 4 = 400\) centimeters.

(b) A regular pentagon has five congruent sides; since the sidelength is 75 centimeters, the perimeter is \(\displaystyle 75 \times 5 = 375\) centimeters.

This makes (a) greater.

Example Question #1 : Quadrilaterals

Square 1 is inscribed inside a circle. The circle is inscribed inside Square 2.

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) Twice the perimeter of Square 1

(b) The perimeter of Square 2

Possible Answers:

(b) is greater.

(a) is greater.

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

(a) and (b) are equal.

Correct answer:

(a) is greater.

Explanation:

Let \(\displaystyle s\) be the sidelength of Square 1. Then the length of a diagonal of this square - which is \(\displaystyle \sqrt{2}\) times this sidelength, or \(\displaystyle s \sqrt{2}\) by the \(\displaystyle 45^{\circ }-45^{\circ }-90^{\circ }\) Theorem - is the same as the diameter of this circle, which, in turn, is equal to the sidelength of Square 2. 

Since the perimeter of a square is four times its sidelength, Square 1 has perimeter \(\displaystyle 4s\); Square 2 has perimeter \(\displaystyle 4 s \sqrt{2}\), which is \(\displaystyle \sqrt{2}\) times the perimeter of Square 1. \(\displaystyle \sqrt{2} < 2\), making the perimeter of Square 2 less than twice than the perimeter of Square 1.

Example Question #1 : Squares

Five squares have sidelengths one foot, two feet, three feet, four feet, and five feet.

Which is the greater quantity?

(A) The mean of their perimeters

(B) The median of their perimeters

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to tell which is greater from the information given

(A) is greater

(A) and (B) are equal

(B) is greater

Correct answer:

(A) and (B) are equal

Explanation:

The perimeters of the squares are 

\(\displaystyle 4 \times 1 = 4\) feet

\(\displaystyle 4 \times 2 = 8\) feet

\(\displaystyle 4 \times 3 = 12\) feet

\(\displaystyle 4 \times 4 = 16\) feet

\(\displaystyle 4 \times 5 = 20\) feet

The mean of the perimeters is their sum divided by five;

\(\displaystyle (4+8+12+16+20) \div 5 = 60 \div 5 = 12\) feet.

The median of the perimeters is the value in the middle when they are arranged in ascending order; this can be seen to also be 12 feet.

The quantities are equal.

Example Question #1 : Squares

Four squares have sidelengths one meter, one meter, 120 centimeters, and 140 centimeters. Which is the greater quantity?

(A) The mean of their perimeters

(B) The median of their perimeters

Possible Answers:

(B) is greater

(A) is greater

It is impossible to tell which is greater from the information given

(A) and (B) are equal

Correct answer:

(A) is greater

Explanation:

First find the perimeters of the squares:

\(\displaystyle 4 \times 100 = 400\) centimeters (one meter being 100 centimeters)

\(\displaystyle 4 \times 100 = 400\) centimeters

\(\displaystyle 4 \times 120 = 480\) centimeters

\(\displaystyle 4 \times 140 = 560\) centimeters

The mean of the perimeters is their sum divided by four:

\(\displaystyle (400+400+480+560) \div 4 = 1,840 \div 4 = 460\) feet.

The median of the perimeters is the mean of the two values in the middle, assuming the values are in numerical order:

\(\displaystyle (400 + 480) \div 2 = 880 \div 2 = 440\)

The mean, (A), is greater.

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