Sides $AB,BC,CD$ and $DA$ of convex polygon $ABCD$ have lengths 3, 4, 12, and 13, respectively, and $\angle CBA$ is a right angle. The area of the quadrilateral is

$\text{(A)} \ 32 \qquad \text{(B)} \ 36 \qquad \text{(C)} \ 39 \qquad \text{(D)} \ 42 \qquad \text{(E)} \ 48$
Connect C and A, and we have a 3-4-5 right triangle and 5-12-13 right triangle. The area of both is $\frac{3\cdot4}{2}+\frac{5\cdot12}{2}=36\Rightarrow\boxed{(B)}$.