CDS 2026 (I) Elementary Mathematics, question 55

Topic: Geometry

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Q55

ABC is a triangle right-angled at C. Let P be the midpoint of BC. If AP=413AP=4\sqrt{13} cm and AB=20AB=20 cm, then what is the perimeter of the triangle ABC ?

  1. (a) 40 cm
  2. (b) 48 cmCorrect answer
  3. (c) 50 cm
  4. (d) 60 cm

Solution.

Answer: (b) 48 cm

  1. Let AC=aAC = a and BC=bBC = b.
  2. Pythagoras in ABC and APC gives a2+b2=400a^{2} + b^{2} = 400 and a2+b2/4=(413)2=208a^{2} + b^{2}/4 = \left( 4\sqrt{13} \right)^{2} = 208.
  3. Subtract: 3b2/4=1923b^{2}/4 = 192, so b=16b = 16.
  4. Then a=12a = 12, and the perimeter is 12+16+20=48cm12 + 16 + 20 = 48cm.