Question

The area of a trapezium is 384 cm2. Its parallel sides are in the ratio 3:5 and the perpendicular distance between them is 12 cm. Find the length of each one of the parallel sides.

Answer 1

Given that,

Let the length of one parallel side of trapezium = 3x meter

Length of other parallel side of trapezium = 5x meter

Area of trapezium = 384 cm2

Distance between parallel sides = 12 cm

We know that,

Area of trapezium = 1/2 ( Sum of lengths of parallel sides) × distance between parallel sides

i.e., Area of trapezium = 1/2 ( Sum of sides) × distance between parallel sides

384 = 1/2 (3x + 5x) × 12

384 = 1/2 (8x) × 12

4x = 384/12

4x = 32

x = 8

∴ Length of one parallel side of trapezium = 3x = 3× 8 = 24 cm

And, Length of other parallel side of trapezium = 5x = 5× 8 = 40 cm