Question

The area of a trapezium is 31.5 cm². If the parallel sides are of length 7.5 cm and 5.3 cm, calculate the perpendicular distance between them

Answer 1

The answer is 4.9cm

Explanation:

To find the perpendicular distance between them that's the height we use the formula

`Area \: \: of \: \: a \: \: trapezium = (1)/(2) (a + b) * h`

where

a and b are the parallel sides of the trapezium

h is the perpendicular distance

From the question

Area = 31.5cm²

a = 7.5 cm

b = 5.3 cm

Substituting the values into the above formula we have

`31 .5 = (1)/(2) (7.5 + 5.3) * h`

`31.5 = (1)/(2) * 12.8h`

`31.5 = 6.4h`

Divide both sides by 6.4

`h = (31.5)/(6.4)`

h = 4.921875

We have the final answer

h = 4.9cm

Hope this helps you