In rectangular trapezoid ABCD, ab ∥ CD, ab ⊥ ad, and ab = 13, CD = 8, ad = 12, then the distance from point a to BC is______ .

In rectangular trapezoid ABCD, ab ∥ CD, ab ⊥ ad, and ab = 13, CD = 8, ad = 12, then the distance from point a to BC is______ .

As shown in the figure, the intersection of CE ⊥ AB is e, and the intersection of AF ⊥ BC is f. ∵ in the right angled trapezoid ABCD, ad ⊥ AB, CE ⊥ AB, ≁ DC = AE = 8, ad = CE = 12, then be = ab-ae = 13-8 = 5, ∵ in the right angled triangle BCE, BC = CE2 + be2 = 13. Then AB = CB can be obtained; ∵ {CEB = ∠ AFB = 90 degree, ≌ B is the common angle, ab = CB, ≌ AFB ≌ CEB (AAS), ≌ CE = AF = 12