Trapezoid JKLM in the x-y plane has coordinates J = (–2, –4), K = (–2, 1), L = (6, 7), and M = (6, –4). What is its perimeter?  Select the correct option:
A) 34  B) 36  C) 38  D) 40  E) 42

Rationale: "this one may look challenging initially , but all kinds of simplifying tricks . first of all , j & k have the same x - coordinate , so that ’ s a vertical segment , and the length is jk = 1 – ( – 4 ) = 5 . l & m also have the same x - coordinate , so that ’ s also a vertical segment , and the length is lm = 7 – ( – 4 ) = 11 . j & m have the same y - coordinate , so that ’ s also a horizontal segment , and the length is jm = 6 – ( – 2 ) = 8 . right there , we have the lengths of three of the four sides . the last side to find is kl . from k = ( – 2 , 1 ) , we have to go over 8 and up 6 to get to l = ( 6 , 7 ) , so 6 and 8 the legs of the right triangle , and kl is the hypotenuse . we recognize another common pythagorean triplet — ( 6 , 8 , 10 ) , which is a multiple of the ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) triplet . thus , without further calculations , we immediately know kl = 10 . perimeter = jk + kl + lm + jm = 5 + 10 + 11 + 8 = 34 answer = a"
Answer: A