Question

The area of a trapezium is 279 sq. cm and the distance between its two parallel sides is 18cm. If one of its parallel sides is longer than the other side by 5cm, find the lengths of its parallel sides

Answer 1

Area of trapezium = 279 sq.cm

Distance between two parallel lines (h) = 18 cm

∴ Sum of parallel sides = (Area × 2)/Height

= (279 × 2)/18 = 31 m

Let shorter side, CD = x

Then longer side = x + 5

∴ x + x + 5 = 31

⇒ 2x = 31 – 5 = 26

⇒ x = 26/2 = 13

∴ Shorter side = 13 cm

And longer side = 13 +5=18