Question

EF is a median of trapezoid ABCD. The length of AB is 12, and the length of CD is 18. The length of BF is 4. What is the length of FC?

Answer 1

Explanation:

The diagram representing the trapezoid is shown in the attached photo. The median EF is a line segment that is half way between the 2 bases. The length of the median is the average of the two bases. Therefore,

EF = (12 + 18)/2 = 15

Two similar trapezoids are formed. They are ABFE and EFCD

By comparing both trapezoids, it means that

4/15 = FC/18

Cross multiplying, it becomes

4 × 18 = 15FC

72 = 15FC

FC = 72/15

FC = 4.8