Question

In trapezoid $ABCD$ with bases $\overline{AB}$ and $\overline{CD},$ we have $AB=52,$ $BC=12,$ $CD=39,$ and $DA=5.$ The area of $ABCD$ is

$182$

$195$

$210$

$234$

$260$

Answer: C

Concepts:trapezoid similarity Pythagorean Triple

Difficulty rating: 1790

Solution:

Extend $DA$ and $CB$ to meet at $P.$ Since $DC\parallel AB,$ $\triangle PDC\sim\triangle PAB$ with ratio $\dfrac{39}{52}=\dfrac{3}{4}.$ From $\dfrac{PD}{PD+5}=\dfrac{3}{4}$ we get $PD=15,$ and similarly $PC=36.$

Then $PD:PC:DC=15:36:39$ $=3\cdot(5:12:13),$ so $\angle P$ is a right angle. The area of $ABCD$ is $\begin{gathered} \dfrac{1}{2}(PA)(PB) \\ {}-\dfrac{1}{2}(PD)(PC) \\ = \dfrac{1}{2}(20)(48) \\ {}-\dfrac{1}{2}(15)(36) \\ = 480-270=210. \end{gathered}$

Thus, the correct answer is C.

2002 AMC 10A Problem 25

Answer: C

Difficulty rating: 1790

Solution:

Problem 25 in Other Years