Area of Trapezium

CAT 2022 Slot 1 · Quantitative Ability · Medium · Geometry

A trapezium ABCDABCD has side ADAD parallel to BCBC, ∠BAD=90∘\angle BAD = 90^\circ, BC=3 cmBC = 3\text{ cm} and AD=8 cmAD = 8\text{ cm}. If the perimeter of this trapezium is 36 cm36\text{ cm}, then its area, in sq.cm, is

Answer

66

Explanation

Since ∠BAD=90∘\angle BAD = 90^\circ and AD∥BCAD \parallel BC, ABAB is perpendicular to both ADAD and BCBC. Let AB=hAB = h (height of trapezium) and CD=cCD = c.

Perimeter =AB+BC+CD+AD=h+3+c+8=h+c+11=36= AB + BC + CD + AD = h + 3 + c + 8 = h + c + 11 = 36. So, h+c=25  ⟹  c=25−hh + c = 25 \implies c = 25 - h.

Drop a perpendicular from CC to ADAD meeting ADAD at EE. Then AE=BC=3 cmAE = BC = 3\text{ cm}, so ED=AD−AE=8−3=5 cmED = AD - AE = 8 - 3 = 5\text{ cm}. Also CE=AB=hCE = AB = h. In right triangle CEDCED: CE2+ED2=CD2CE^2 + ED^2 = CD^2 h2+52=c2h^2 + 5^2 = c^2 h2+25=(25−h)2h^2 + 25 = (25 - h)^2 h2+25=625−50h+h2h^2 + 25 = 625 - 50h + h^2 50h=600  ⟹  h=12 cm50h = 600 \implies h = 12\text{ cm}

Area of trapezium ABCD=12×(AD+BC)×h=12×(8+3)×12=66 sq.cmABCD = \frac{1}{2} \times (AD + BC) \times h = \frac{1}{2} \times (8 + 3) \times 12 = 66\text{ sq.cm}.

Related Geometry questions

Practise this under exam conditions

Sign in to solve it with a live timer, the on-screen CAT calculator, and streak and accuracy tracking across every question you attempt.

Solve in the workspace