Intermediate Geometry : Trapezoids

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Intermediate Geometry

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Perimeter Of A Trapezoid

Find the perimeter of the trapezoid below.

14

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

14

We can then use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the right portion of the bottom base.  We can then use this value to determine the left portion.

14

Using Pythagorean Theorem again, we can calculate the left leg to be 20.  That means we now know all four sides.  The perimeter is simply the sum.

Example Question #4 : How To Find The Perimeter Of A Trapezoid

An isosceles trapezoid has two bases that are parallel to each other. The larger base is  times greater than the smaller base. The smaller base has a length of  inches and the length of non-parallel sides of the trapezoid have a length of  inches. 

What is the perimeter of the trapezoid? 

Possible Answers:

 

 

 

 

 

Correct answer:

 

Explanation:

To find the perimeter of this trapezoid, first find the length of the larger base. Then, find the sum of all of the sides. It's important to note that since this is an isosceles trapezoid, both of the non-parallel sides will have the same length. 

The solution is:

The smaller base is equal to  inches. Thus, the larger base is equal to:



, where  the length of one of the non-parallel sides of the isosceles trapezoid. 



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

Dr. Robinson's property is shaped like an isosceles trapezoid. Dr. Robinson gave a contractor the following measurements, so that the contractor can build a wall around the enire property. 

Measurements of property:

  

 

 


Find the perimeter of Dr. Robinson's property.

Possible Answers:

 

 

 

 

Correct answer:

 

Explanation:

The measurements that Dr. Robinson gave to the contractor include the lengths of the two base sides and one of the non-parallel sides of the property. Since Dr. Robinson's property is shaped like an isosceles trapezoid, there must be two non-parallel sides of equal length. 

The solution is:

Example Question #31 : Trapezoids

Find the area of the following trapezoid.  

Geo_area2

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The correct answer is 128 sq ft. 

There are two ways to find the total area.   One way to find the total area, you must find the area of the triangle and rectangle separately.  After some deduction , you can find that the base of the triangle is 6 ft.   Then using the Pythagorean Theorem, or 3-4-5 right triangles, you can find that the height of the triangle and rectangle is 8 ft. Geo_area2b

To find the area of the triangle, you would multiply 6 by 8 and then divide by 2 to get 24.  To find the area of the rectangle, you would multiply 8 by 13 to get 104.  Then you would add both areas to get 128 sq ft. 

Geo_area2c

 

The other way to find the area  is to use the formula for area of a trapezoid. After some deduction , you can find that the base of the triangle is 6ft.   Then using the Pythagorean Theorem or 3-4-5 right triangles, you can find that the height of the triangle and rectangle is 8 ft. 

Then you use the formula: 

 

to get

Example Question #32 : Trapezoids

Find the length of  if the area of the trapezoid below is .

5

Possible Answers:

Cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Start by drawing in the height, , to form a right triangle.

5a

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of .

Now that we have the height, plug in the given information into the formula to find the area of the trapezoid.

Keep in mind that .

The question asks you to find the length of .

 

Example Question #31 : Trapezoids

Find the length of . The area of the trapezoid is . Round to the nearest hundredths place.

7

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, draw in the height .

7a

First, find  by using .

Now, plug in the values for area, height, and one base to find the length of the second base, .

Example Question #34 : Trapezoids

Find the length of . The area of the trapezoid is . Round to the nearest hundreths place.

8

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, draw in the height.

8a

First, find the height by using .

Now, plug in the values for area, height, and one base to find the length of the second base, .

Example Question #35 : Trapezoids

Find the length of . The area of the trapezoid is . Round to the nearest hundredths place.

9

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, draw in the height.

9a

First, find the height by using .

Now, plug in the values for area, height, and one base to find the length of the second base, .

Example Question #36 : Trapezoids

Find the value of  if the area of this trapezoid is .

1

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The formula to find the area of a trapezoid is

.

Substitute in the values for the area, a base, and the height. Then solve for .

 

Example Question #37 : Trapezoids

Find the value of  if the area of this trapezoid is .

2

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The formula to find the area of a trapezoid is

.

Substitute in the values for the area, a base, and the height. Then solve for .

 

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