PM is the median of trapezoid KLNO. If ON = 30 centimeters and KL = 20 centimeters, what is the length of PM?
To find the length of PM, we first need to understand what a median is in a trapezoid. In a trapezoid, a median is a line segment that connects the midpoints of the two non-parallel sides.
In this case, the given trapezoid KLNO has sides KL and NO. We are told that ON is 30 centimeters and KL is 20 centimeters. The median PM connects the midpoints of KL and NO.
To find the length of PM, we need to find the midpoint of KL and NO. The midpoint is the average of the two given measurements.
The midpoint of KL is halfway between K and L. Since KL is 20 centimeters, the midpoint of KL is (20 / 2) = 10 centimeters.
The midpoint of NO is halfway between N and O. Since NO is 30 centimeters, the midpoint of NO is (30 / 2) = 15 centimeters.
Now that we have the midpoints of KL (10 centimeters) and NO (15 centimeters), we can find the length of PM. Since PM is the median connecting these two midpoints, the length of PM is the difference between the two midpoints.
PM = 15 centimeters - 10 centimeters = 5 centimeters.
Therefore, the length of PM is 5 centimeters.