Problem:
At a store, when a length is reported as inches that means the length is at least inches and at most inches. Suppose the dimensions of a rectangular tile are reported as inches by inches. In square inches, what is the minimum area for the rectangle?
Answer Choices:
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Solution:
The smallest possible width for the rectangle is inches. Similarly the smallest possible length is inches. Hence the minimum area is square inches.
The problems on this page are the property of the MAA's American Mathematics Competitions