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Band-Aid

Five unit squares inside a larger square. What is the total area?

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Solution

The total area is 5+2√5, which is approximately 9,47.

From similarity of the little triangle at the bottom left and the larger one containing one square we get 1/a=a/(a+1). This leads to a=φ (the Golden Ratio).

Now the large square side squared can be found using the Pythagorean Theorem as φ2+(φ+1)2=4φ+3= 5+2√5.

Poem

A band aid for the heart or for the soul
When wounds hurt, big or small
When in your life you have a bad fall
And don’t know what to do
The band aid will help and care for you
So may be than so well you’ll feel
That sorrows and pains just go to heal

Bella

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