asked 48.0k views
1 vote
Line segment BD divides trapezoid ABCE into a rectangle and a right

triangle as shown. What is the perimeter of the trapezoid?

Line segment BD divides trapezoid ABCE into a rectangle and a right triangle as shown-example-1

2 Answers

7 votes

96

Explanation:

Since ABDE is a rectangle, the opposite sides AE and BD are the same length. This makes BD = 24. Similarly, ED = 20 since AB = 20.

Focus on triangle BCD. Let x be the length of segment CD. We can use the pythagorean theorem to find x

576 + x^2 = 625

x^2 = 625 - 576

x^2 = 49

x = sqrt(49)

x = 7

Segment CD is 7 units long.

Since ED = 20, this means,

EC = ED + DC

EC = 20 + 7

EC = 27

The perimeter of this trapezoid is

P = sum of all exterior sides

P = AB+BC+CE+EA

P = 20+25+27+24

P = 96 units

answered
User Acheme Paul
by
7.7k points
7 votes

Answer: 96 units

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Step-by-step explanation:

Since ABDE is a rectangle, the opposite sides AE and BD are the same length. This makes BD = 24. Similarly, ED = 20 since AB = 20.

Focus on triangle BCD. Let x be the length of segment CD. We can use the pythagorean theorem to find x

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

(BD)^2 + (CD)^2 = (BC)^2

24^2 + x^2 = 25^2

576 + x^2 = 625

x^2 = 625 - 576

x^2 = 49

x = sqrt(49)

x = 7

Segment CD is 7 units long.

Since ED = 20, this means,

EC = ED + DC

EC = 20 + 7

EC = 27

The perimeter of this trapezoid is

P = sum of all exterior sides

P = AB+BC+CE+EA

P = 20+25+27+24

P = 96 units

Note that we didn't add in side BD as part of the perimeter because it is not an exterior side. Think of sides AB, BC, CE, and AE as outer walls of the house while BD is an interior wall. The perimeter is only worried about the outer walls.

answered
User Dirck
by
8.1k points
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