4)
If the length of rectangle A is one-half the length of rectangle B, and the width of rectangle A is one-half the width of rectangle B, what is the ratio of the area of rectangle A to the area of rectangle B?
(A) 1/4
(B) 1/2
(C) 1/1
(D) 2/1
(E) 4/1
Answer: Choice A is correct. This problem includes a common mistake: the ratio of areas is NOT the same as the ratio of lengths. Instead, the ratio of areas for similar polygons is equal to the square of the lengths of the lengths. If we use 4 and 2 as the length and width for rectangle A, its area is 8. Rectangle B would have an area of (8)(4) = 32, four times that of A.
