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In a parallelogram ABCD, the length of the line joining the midpoints of AD and AC is 2 units. If the perimeter of the parallelogram is 26 units, then find the length of AD.
8 units
4 units
6 units
9 units
9 units
In triangle ADC, the line joining midpoints of AD and AC is parallel to DC and half its length. Thus, DC = 2 ├Ч 2 = 4. Since perimeter = 2(AD + DC) = 26, then AD + 4 = 13, so AD = 9.
Parallelogram ABCD, perimeter = 26 units, length of line joining midpoints of AD and AC = 2 units.
P=2(l+w), midsegment=21тАЛ├Чside
In triangle ADC, the line joining midpoints of AD and AC is parallel to DC and half its length. Thus, DC = 2 ├Ч 2 = 4. Since perimeter = 2(AD + DC) = 26, then AD + 4 = 13, so AD = 9.
Confusing the midpoint theorem with the properties of the full parallelogram instead of isolating triangle ADC.
Analyze Triangle ADC
In тЦ│ADC, let M be the midpoint of AD and N be the midpoint of AC. The line segment MN connects these midpoints.
MN=21тАЛDC=2
Determine base CD
By the Midpoint Theorem, the segment connecting the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is half the length of the third side (DC).
DC=2├Ч2=4
Calculate perimeter
The perimeter of parallelogram ABCD is 2(AD+DC)=26. Substituting DC=4:
2(AD+4)=26тЯ╣AD+4=13
Solve for AD
Subtract 4 from 13 to find the side length AD.
AD=13тИТ4=9
D is correct because by the Midpoint Theorem, DC=2├Ч2=4 and given the perimeter 2(AD+DC)=26, we get AD+4=13, so AD=9.
The Midpoint Theorem is a fundamental bridge between triangle properties and quadrilateral properties; always look for triangles within complex shapes in competitive exams.