Question

question 5 of 27
for the trapezoid below, what is the correct term for (overline{rl})?
image of trapezoid (retw) with (r) at top - left, (e) at top - right, (w) at bottom - right, (t) at bottom - left; dashed segment (rl) from (r) to (l) on (tw), with a right - angle symbol at (l) (between (rl) and (tw))

a. apothem
b. leg
c. altitude
d. base

Explanation:

1. Recall the definitions of each term:

• Apothem: A line from the center of a regular polygon to the midpoint of a side, perpendicular to that side. This is not relevant to a trapezoid, so A is incorrect.
• Leg: In a trapezoid, the legs are the non - parallel sides. $\overline{RL}$ is perpendicular to the base, not a leg, so B is incorrect.
• Altitude: The perpendicular distance between the two bases of a trapezoid. $\overline{RL}$ is perpendicular to the base $TW$ (and since $RE\parallel TW$ in a trapezoid, it is the perpendicular distance between the two bases), so this fits the definition of an altitude.
• Base: The two parallel sides of a trapezoid. $\overline{RL}$ is not a side of the two parallel sides (the bases are $RE$ and $TW$), so D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Altitude