Advanced Geometry : Trapezoids

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Advanced Geometry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Area Of A Trapezoid

A trapezoid has a base of length 4, another base of length s, and a height of length s. A square has sides of length s. What is the value of s such that the area of the trapezoid and the area of the square are equal?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In general, the formula for the area of a trapezoid is (1/2)(a + b)(h), where a and b are the lengths of the bases, and h is the length of the height. Thus, we can write the area for the trapezoid given in the problem as follows:

area of trapezoid = (1/2)(4 + s)(s)

Similarly, the area of a square with sides of length a is given by a2. Thus, the area of the square given in the problem is s2.

We now can set the area of the trapezoid equal to the area of the square and solve for s.

(1/2)(4 + s)(s) = s2

Multiply both sides by 2 to eliminate the 1/2.

(4 + s)(s) = 2s2

Distribute the s on the left.

4s + s2 = 2s2

Subtract s2 from both sides.

4s = s2

Because s must be a positive number, we can divide both sides by s.

4 = s

This means the value of s must be 4.

The answer is 4.

Example Question #1 : Trapezoids

What is the area of this regular trapezoid?

Screen_shot_2013-03-18_at_3.27.27_pm                             

Possible Answers:

45

32

20

26

Correct answer:

32

Explanation:

To solve this question, you must divide the trapezoid into a rectangle and two right triangles. Using the Pythagorean Theorem, you would calculate the height of the triangle which is 4. The dimensions of the rectangle are 5 and 4, hence the area will be 20. The base of the triangle is 3 and the height of the triangle is 4. The area of one triangle is 6. Hence the total area will be 20+6+6=32. If you forget to split the shape into a rectangle and TWO triangles, or if you add the dimensions of the trapezoid, you could arrive at 26 as your answer.

 

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Area Of A Trapezoid

Trap

What is the area of the trapezoid above if a = 2, b = 6, and h = 4?

Possible Answers:

32

8

24

16

64

Correct answer:

16

Explanation:

Area of a Trapezoid = ½(a+b)*h

= ½ (2+6) * 4

= ½ (8) * 4

= 4 * 4 = 16

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Area Of A Trapezoid

Find the area of a trapezoid if the height is , and the small and large bases are  and , respectively.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Write the formula to find the area of a trapezoid.

Substitute the givens and evaluate the area.

Example Question #351 : Advanced Geometry

A right triangle and rectangle are placed adjacent to one another such that the composite figure formed by the triangle and rectangle is a trapezoid. 

Find the area of the trapezoid given that the base of the triangle is 7 ft and the hypotenuse of the triangle is 25ft. The base of the rectangle is 9 feet. 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 

Example Question #11 : How To Find The Area Of A Trapezoid

The average of the lengths of the top and bottom of trapezoid 

 is 

What is the height of the trapezoid, if the area is ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #12 : How To Find The Area Of A Trapezoid


What is the area of this trapezoid?

Screen shot 2015 10 21 at 3.29.16 pm

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The area of a trapezoid is 

.

In this particular case the known values are as follows.

Substituting in the given values into the area formula we arrive at the following solution.

Example Question #61 : Plane Geometry

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #352 : Advanced Geometry

 

 

Find the area of the trapezoid given below: 

Trap1

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to find the area of a trapezoid, we must use the formula below: 

Example Question #16 : Trapezoids

Show algebraically how to develop the trapezoid area formula.

Varsity7

 

Possible Answers:

 

Correct answer:

Explanation:

1) The area  of the triangle that has base  is .

2) The area  of the triangle that has base  is .

3) The sum of the two triangel areas is

 

 

 

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