Try this beautiful problem from Geometry: Problem on Cube.
Problem on Cube – AMC-10A, 2008- Problem 21
A cube with side length 1 is sliced by a plane that passes through two diagonally opposite vertices $A$ and $C$ and the midpoints $B$ and $D$ of two opposite edges not containing $A$ or $C$, as shown. What is the area of quadrilateral $A B C D ?$
,
i

- $\frac{\sqrt{6}}{2}$
- $\frac{5}{4}$
- $\sqrt{2}$
- $\frac{5}{8}$
- $\frac{3}{4}$
Key Concepts
Geometry
Square
Pythagoras
Check the Answer
Answer: $\frac{\sqrt{6}}{2}$
AMC-10A (2008) Problem 21
Pre College Mathematics
Try with Hints

The above diagram is a cube and given that side length $1$ and \(B\) and \(D\) are the mid points .we have to find out area of the \(ABCD\).Now since $A B=A D=C B=C D=\sqrt{\frac{1}{2}^{2}}+1^{2},$ it follows that $A B C D$ is a rhombus. can you find out area of the rhombus?
Can you now finish the problem ……….

The area of the rhombus can be computed by the formula $A = \frac 12 d_1d_2$, where $d_1,\,d_2$ are the diagonals of the rhombus (or of a kite in general). $BD$ has the same length as a face diagonal, or $\sqrt{1^{2}+1^{2}}=\sqrt{2} \cdot A C$ is a space diagonal, with length $\sqrt{1^{2}+1^{2}+1^{2}}=\sqrt{3}$
can you finish the problem……..
Therefore area $A=\frac{1}{2} \times \sqrt{2} \times \sqrt{3}=\frac{\sqrt{6}}{2}$
Other useful links
- https://www.cheenta.com/surface-area-of-cube-amc-10a-2007-problem-21/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGT15ls_brU&t=2s