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Expert: Robi Bhattacharjee - 4/9/2009


Question
A box-shaped building is 240 feet high, 54 feet wide along its north face and 46 feet deep along its east face. Using suction boots, Secret Agent 007.5 needs to climb on the building's outside from the bottom-north-east corner to the top-south-west corner of the building. In feet, what is the length of the shortest path available?


Answer
Hi Samantha,

For this question, to find the shortest path, what you do is "unfold the building so that its four faces are on the same plane. So, you have to go 240 ft high and 100 ft across when you flatten it out. So the answer is sqrt(240^2 + 100^2) = 260 ft.


This question requires a lot of visualizing. If you need more help, try and ask someone to demonstrate it to you.



Robi

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Robi Bhattacharjee

Expertise

I can answer a variety of questions on mathematics. Questions on trigonometry, calculus(preferably single variable), algebra, geometry, and number theory will be answered. I cannot answer questions on abstract branches of mathematics such as group theory. I also cannot answer questions on statistics. In number theory, I can answer questions on congruences, prime numbers, units, functions, and the riemann-zeta function.

Experience

I have studied advanced math my entire life. I started calculus in sixth grade. I have attended numerous math competitions and I am attending math organizations such as the San-Diego math circle. Also, this year I have been invited to the USAMO which is a prestigious math competition (Every year the USAMO invites 500 students from across the USA to participate in this competition. The top 6 go to represent the USA in the International Math Olympiad).

Organizations
I am in the San Diego Math Circle

Education/Credentials
I am entering high school and have received a perfect score and the STAR test 5 times in a row. I also have gotten recognitions in the AMC 10, AIME, Math Counts, and ARML. Additionally, I have won the San Diego Math Olimpiad twice in a row.

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