The area of a trapezium is 384 sq.cm. If its parallel sides in ratio 3 : 5 and the perpendicular distance between them be 12 cm. The smaller of parallel sides is?

• A. 16 cm
• B. 40 cm
• C. 32 cm
• D. 24 cm

Answer: (D)

Let the parallel sides be 3a and 5a.So Area of trapezium = 1/2 x sum of parallel side x perpendicular distance between them.? 1/2 (3a +5a) x 12 = 384? 8a = 64? a =8? Smaller side = 3x = 3 x 8 = 24 cm.