Question

The area of a trapezium is $432m^2$ the perpendicular distance between the two parallel sides is $18m$. If the difference of the parallel sides is $18m$. Find the length of the parallel sides.

Answer 1

Let the parallel sides be $x$ and $x+18$

Area$=432m^2$

$\Rightarrow \frac{1}{2}(x+x+18)\times 18=432$

$\Rightarrow \frac{2x+18}{2}=\frac{432}{18}=24$

$\Rightarrow x+9=24$

$\Rightarrow x=24-9=15$m

$\therefore$ one side is $15$m and the other side is $15+18=33$m