Question

Trapezoid JKLM is is shown below. What is the length in centimeters, of KL

Answer 1

The complete question is:

Trapezoid JKLM is shown below.

What is the length, in centimeters, of KL ?

A. 12 cm

B. 10 cm

C. 9 cm

D.  6 cm

The mentioned figure is attached.

Answer:

$\large\boxed{option\text{ B. }(\overline{KL})=10cm}$

Explanation:

1. KL is the hypotenuse of a right triangle; hence, you can use Pythagora's theorem to find its length.

2. The height 8 cm is one leg of the right triangle.

3. The other leg may be found by difference:

     $\overline{ML} -\overline{JK}=15cm-9cm=6cm$

4. Now you can use Pythagora's theorem:

$hypotenuse^2=(leg_1)^2+(leg_2)^2\\ \\ (\overline{KL})^2=(8cm)^2+(6cm)^2\\ \\ (\overline{KL})^2=64cm^2+36cm^2=100cm^2\\ \\ (\overline{KL})=10cm$