Question

The area of a trapezium is 24 $c{m}^2$. If one of its parallel sides is 5 cm and if the distance between the parallel sides is 6 cm, find the length of other parallel side.

Answer 1

Let the length of the other parallel side be y cm.
Height of the trapezium = The distance beween parallel sides
Now, the area of trapezium [0.5 marks]
= $\frac{1}{2}$ $\times$ (Sum of parallel sides) $\times$ height [0.5 marks]
⇒ 24 = $\frac{1}{2}$ $\times$ (5 + y) $\times$ 6 [1 mark]
⇒ 24 = (5 + y) $\times$ 3
⇒ (5 + y) = $\frac{24}{3}$ = 8
⇒ y = 8 - 5
⇒ y = 3 [1 mark]
So, the length of the other parallel side is 3 cm.