The parallel sides of a trapezium are 20 cm and 10cm and its non-parallel sides are equal to each other. If its area is 180cm2, then what is the length (in cm) of each non-parallel side?
- AOption (a)
11
- BOption (b)
13
- COption (c)
12
- DOption (d)
15
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Correct answer
13
Why this answer is correct
Shortcut Trick
Height of trapezium = (2 × Area) ÷ Sum of parallel sides = (2 × 180) ÷ (20 + 10) = 12 cm.
Base of the right-angled triangle formed at the ends = (20 − 10) ÷ 2 = 5 cm.
Length of each non-parallel side = √(122 + 52) = √(144 + 25) = √169 = 13 cm.
∴ The correct answer is 13 cm.
Alternate Method
Given:
Parallel sides of the trapezium are 20 cm and 10 cm.
Area of the isosceles trapezium = 180 cm2.
Formula Used:
Area of Trapezium = 1/2 × (Sum of parallel sides) × Height
Pythagoras Theorem: Hypotenuse2 = Base2 + Perpendicular2
Calculations:
⇒ Area = 1/2 × (AB + CD) × Height
⇒ 180 = 1/2 × (10 + 20) × h
⇒ 180 = 1/2 × 30 × h
⇒ 180 = 15 × h
⇒ h = 12 cm
So, the height of the trapezium (AM = BN) is 12 cm.
In isosceles trapezium ABCD, dropping perpendiculars AM and BN to CD constructs a rectangle ABMN.
⇒ MN = AB = 10 cm
Since it is an isosceles trapezium, the remaining base segments are equal:
⇒ DM = NC = (CD − MN) ÷ 2
⇒ DM = (20 − 10) ÷ 2 = 5 cm
Now, applying Pythagoras theorem in right-angled ΔAMD:
⇒ AD2 = AM2 + DM2
⇒ AD2 = 122 + 52
⇒ AD = √(144 + 25)
⇒ AD = √169 = 13 cm
∴ The correct answer is 13 cm.
Additional Information
Isosceles Trapezium Properties
In an isosceles trapezium, the non-parallel sides are equal in length, the base angles are equal, and the lengths of the diagonals are identical.
Area of a Trapezium
The area is calculated as Area = 1/2 × (a + b) × h, where 'a' and 'b' are the lengths of the parallel sides and 'h' is the perpendicular distance (height) between them.
Median of a Trapezium
The median is the line segment joining the midpoints of the non-parallel sides. Its length is the average of the parallel sides: m = (a + b) ÷ 2, and Area = m × h.
