What is the ratio of the area of the quadrilateral PQNM to the area of the quadrilateral RSNM?

Consider the following for the next two (02) items that follow:<br>Let two parallel line segments PQ=5 cm and RS=3 cm be perpendicular to a horizontal line AB, as shown in the figure given below. The point of intersection of PS and QR is M and MN is perpendicular to QS.

  1. A. \frac{200}{117}
  2. B. \frac{212}{117}
  3. C. \frac{275}{117}
  4. D. \frac{250}{117}

Correct Answer: C. \frac{275}{117}

Explanation

The base QS is divided by N in the exact ratio of the pole heights, meaning QN:NS = 5:3. Both quadrilaterals are trapezoids. The ratio of their areas is \frac{\frac{1}{2}(PQ+MN) \times QN}{\frac{1}{2}(RS+MN) \times NS}. Substituting the lengths gives \frac{(5 + 15/8) \times 5}{(3 + 15/8) \times 3} = \frac{275}{117}.

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