Square 1 has a side length of [tex]$x$[/tex], and Square 2 has a side length of [tex][tex]$y$[/tex][/tex]. Square 2 is formed by joining the midpoints of the sides of Square 1 in order. If [tex]$x=2$[/tex], find the ratio of the perimeter of Square 1 to the perimeter of Square 2.

A. [tex]2: 1[/tex]
B. [tex]1: 2[/tex]
C. [tex]1: \sqrt{2}[/tex]
D. [tex]2: \sqrt{2}[/tex]



Answer :

Alright, let's start by analyzing the problem step-by-step.

Step 1: Perimeter of Square 1

Square 1 has a side length [tex]\( x = 2 \)[/tex].

- The perimeter [tex]\( P_1 \)[/tex] of a square is given by [tex]\( 4 \times \text{side length} \)[/tex].
[tex]\[ P_1 = 4 \times 2 = 8 \][/tex]

Step 2: Determining the Side Length of Square 2

Square 2 is formed by joining the midpoints of the sides of Square 1. When we join the midpoints of a square, the resulting shape is another square whose side is the length of the diagonal of the smaller squares formed by splitting Square 1 into four equal parts.

Visualize the smaller squares, each formed from half the sides of Square 1:
- The diagonal [tex]\( d \)[/tex] of each smaller square (which is the side length of Square 2) can be found using the Pythagorean theorem. Considering one of the smaller squares as having side [tex]\( \frac{x}{2} \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ d = \sqrt{\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{x}{2}\right)^2} = x \cdot \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \][/tex]

With [tex]\( x = 2 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ d = 2 \cdot \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{2}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{2} \][/tex]

So, the side length [tex]\( y \)[/tex] of Square 2 is [tex]\( \sqrt{2} \)[/tex].

Step 3: Perimeter of Square 2

- The perimeter [tex]\( P_2 \)[/tex] of Square 2 is given by [tex]\( 4 \times \text{side length} \)[/tex].
[tex]\[ P_2 = 4 \times \sqrt{2} \approx 5.65685424949238 \][/tex]

Step 4: Ratio of the Perimeters of Square 1 to Square 2

Now, we need to find the ratio of [tex]\( P_1 \)[/tex] to [tex]\( P_2 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \text{Ratio} = \frac{P_1}{P_2} = \frac{8}{4\sqrt{2}} = \frac{8}{4 \times 1.4142135623730951} = \frac{8}{5.65685424949238} \approx 1.4142135623730951 \approx \sqrt{2} \][/tex]

Thus, the ratio of the perimeter of Square 1 to the perimeter of Square 2 simplifies to [tex]\( \sqrt{2} \)[/tex], which corresponds to [tex]\(\boxed{1: \sqrt{2}}\)[/tex].

So, the correct answer is:
C. [tex]\(1: \sqrt{2}\)[/tex]