Find Missing Sides in Isosceles Trapezoid with Perimeter 4X+2Y

Question

Below is an isosceles trapezoid with a perimeter of 4X+2Y.

Calculate the lengths of the missing sides.

XXX3X3X3X

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Find the length of the legs of the trapezoid
00:03 The perimeter of the trapezoid equals the sum of its sides
00:12 We'll substitute appropriate values according to the given data and solve to find side CD
00:24 An isosceles trapezoid according to the given data
00:39 We'll substitute the values of the sides according to the given data
00:56 We'll isolate CD
01:09 This is the length of side CD, and therefore also the length of side AB
01:19 And this is the solution to the problem

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Understand the properties of an isosceles trapezoid.
  • Step 2: Use the given information to set up equations for the perimeter.
  • Step 3: Solve the equations to find the missing side length.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: An isosceles trapezoid has two parallel sides and two non-parallel sides that are equal in length. Here, the lengths of the parallel sides are given as XX and 3X3X. Therefore, the non-parallel sides (legs) must each be YY.

Step 2: According to the problem, the perimeter of the trapezoid is 4X+2Y4X + 2Y. The perimeter can also be expressed as the sum of all sides: X+3X+Y+YX + 3X + Y + Y.

So we write the equation:
X+3X+Y+Y=4X+2YX + 3X + Y + Y = 4X + 2Y

Simplify the equation:
4X+2Y=4X+2Y4X + 2Y = 4X + 2Y

This indicates that the setup is already balanced. Thus, the lengths of the missing sides (non-parallel sides) are each YY.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is Y Y .

Answer

Y