Area of a trapezoid

Geometric shapes, like the trapezoid, are all around us. Learning to work with these shapes will open doors for us in our studies as well as helping us to understand the world around us.

Let's start with finding the area of a trapezoid, one of the most important fundamental exercises.

A trapezoid is a quadrilateral that has one pair of parallel sides, which are called bases.

Its other two sides are opposite but not parallel.

There are several types of trapezoids, like the isosceles trapezoid (whose non-parallel sides have the same length, and their diagonals are equal), and the rectangular trapezoid (which has one side perpendicular to its bases).

Some quadrilaterals are often confused with the trapezoid, such as the parallelogram. However, the parallelogram has two pairs of parallel sides while the trapezoid has only one pair of parallel sides.

The formula to use to calculate the area of a trapezoid is as follows:

Base 1 (b1) plus base 2 (b2) times height (h) times two.isosceles, we know that

$AFS=\frac{(B1+B2)\times h}{2}$

Now that you have reviewed the formula for finding the area of a trapezoid, here are three exercises to practice:

Suppose we have an isosceles trapezoid (whose non-parallel sides are equal) with the following values:

• The length of the upper base that starts at the vertex $A$ and ends at the vertex $B$ is $6~cm$.
• The length of the lower base starting at the vertex $D$ and ending at the vertex $C$ is $8~cm$.
• The height, which is represented by the letter $h$ (from the word 'height'), is $4~cm$.

The sum of the two bases is equal to $6+8$.

Then, we multiply the sum by the height $(4\times14)$, which is gives us $56$.

This is then divided by $2$, which is equal to $28$.

Therefore, the area of this trapezoid is equal to 28 square centimeters.

$28=\frac{(6+8)\times 4}{2}$

Suppose we have a trapezoid that is not isosceles (its non-parallel sides are not equal), and that has the following values:

• The length of the base starting at vertex $A$ and ending at vertex $B$ is $6~cm$.
• The length of the base starting at vertex $D$ and ending at vertex $C$ is $10~cm$.
• The height (represented by the letter $h$) is $4~cm$.

The sum of the bases is

$16$ $(6+10)$.

Then we multiply this sum by the height$\left(16\times4\right)$, which equals $64$.

Finally, we divide $64$ by $2$. We will get $32$.

Therefore, the area of the trapezoid is $32~cm²$ square centimeters.

$32=\frac{(6+10)\times 4}{2}$

Suppose we have a rectangular trapezoid (which has one side perpendicular to its bases) with the following values:

• The length of the base starting at the vertex $A$ and ending at the vertex $B$ is $6~cm$.
• The length of the base that starts at vertex $D$ and ends at vertex $C$ is $9~cm$.
• The height between the bases (represented by the letter h) is $4~cm$.

First, we add the bases $\left(6+9\right)$, which gives us $15$.
Then, we multiply $15$ by the height $\left(4\times 15\right)$, which equals $60$.
Finally, we divide $60$ by $2$, which equals $30$.
Therefore, the area of this trapezoid is equal to $30~cm$ square centimeters. Given that the trapezoid is

$30=\frac{(6+9)\times 4}{2}$

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Whenever possible, take one day off a week from studying.
Giving yourself a moment to enjoy a well-deserved rest will renew your energy and motivation and make your studying more enjoyable and stress-free.

If you are preparing for an upcoming exam, try organizing your study time with specific goals and time slots.
This way, you will be able to track your progress as well as balance your study time efficiently.
Lastly, remember that when preparing for exams, not all students study in the same way. Every student needs to find the method of studying that is best suited for him or her.

How do we calculate the area of a trapezoid?

Below we are given a trapezoid with the following values:

What is its height?

Solution

Formula for the area of a trapezoid:

$\frac{(Base+Base)}{2}\times height$

We don't have all our values for the formula, so we will have to work backwards to find the missing height.

$\frac{9+6}{2}\times h=30$

Now to reduce and solve:

$\frac{15}{2}\times h=30$

$7\frac{1}{2}\times h=30$

$h=\frac{30}{\frac{15}{2}}$

$h=\frac{60}{15}$

$h=4$

Answer Height $BE$ is equal to $4~cm$.

Given a rectangle $ABCD$ formed by a trapezoid $AKDC$ and a right triangle $KBC$ with the following measures:

$DC=14~cm$

$AD=5~cm$

$KB=4~cm$

How many times is the area of the trapezoid$AKCD$ greater than the area of the triangle $KBC$?

$DC = 14~cm$

$AD = 5~cm$

$KB = 4~cm$

To find out how many times the area of the trapezoid is greater than the area of the triangle, we will calculate the area of both figures and then divide the area of the trapezoid by the area of the triangle.

To find the solution, we will need to calculate the area of the triangle and the area of the trapezoid.

The formula for the area of the triangle is as follows:

$\frac{\left(Height\times Base\right)}{2}$

We know that the length of the base $KB$ is $4$.

The height is $CB$.

Since the opposite sides of the rectangle are equal we know that $AD = CB$.

Therefore $CB = 5$.

Now we can calculate

$4\times 5=20$

Finally we divide by two to get the area of the triangle.

$\frac{20}{2}=10$

Now we will calculate the area of the trapezoid:

$Área = \frac{\left(AK+D\text{C}\right) \times AD}{2}$

We know the side $DC=AB$ because opposite sides in a rectangle are equal,

And the length of $KB =4$,

Therefore we can calculate the length of $AK$.

$AB-KB=AK$

$14-4=10$

Now we can substitute the values into the formula for the area of the trapezoid.

$\frac{(14+10) \times 5}{2}$

$\frac{(24) \times 5}{2}$

$\frac{120}{2} = 60$

Now, all we have left to do is to divide the area of the trapezoid by the area of the triangle:

$\frac{60}{10}=6$

Therefore, the trapezoid is six times greater than the triangle.

Answer:

The correct answer $6$ times greater.

Given an isosceles trapezoid $ABCD$

$BC = 7~cm$

The height of the trapezoid is $h = 5~cm$

The perimeter of the trapezoid $P = 34~cm$

Calculate the area of the trapezoid

Solution:

To calculate the area of the trapezoid, we must analyze the given information.

Given that the trapezoid is isosceles, we know that $BC=AD=7~cm$.

The given height is $h=5~cm$.

The perimeter of the trapezoid is $P=34~cm$.

To find the sum of the two bases $AB + CD$ we subtract the known sides $BC=AD=7$ from the perimeter $P$

$P-BC-AD=AB+DC$

$34-7-7=AB+DC=20\operatorname{cm}$

Now we will use that value to find the area of the trapezoid

$Á\text{rea}=\frac{5(20)}{2}=50$

Answer:

$50~cm²$

Given:

Trapezoid $DECB$ is part of triangle $\triangle ABC$ which has the following values:

$AB=6~cm$

$AC=10~cm$

Also, we know that $DE$ intersects $AB$ and $AC$ respectively.

Task:

Calculate the area of trapezoid $DECB$

Solution:

To find the area of the trapezoid we must first find the values of the sides $BC$ and $DE$.

We will find the values usig the Pythagorean Theorem.

$AB=6~cm$

$AC=10~cm$

Because $DE$ divides the side $AB$ into two equal segments we know that $AD=DB=3~cm$

Because $DE$ divides $AC$ into two equal segments we know that $AE=EC=5~cm$.

According to the Pythagorean theorem we then will have:

$AD^2+DE^2=AE^2$

$AB^2+BC^2=AC^2$

By substituting the data:

$3^2+DE^2=5^2$

$DE^2=16$

$DE^=4$

$6^2+BC^2=10^2$

$BC^2=64$

$BC=8$

Now we can find the area of the trapezoid:

$A=\frac{(DE+BC)\times DB}{2}=\frac{(4+8)\times3}{2}=18$

Answer:

$18\operatorname{cm}^2$

Given the trapezoid $ABCD$

$AB=AD$

The side $DC$ is twice as large as the side $AB$.

The value of the area of the trapezoid is three times greater than the side $AB$.

Task:

Find the value of the side $AB$

Solution:

To find the side $AB$ we will put the data into the formula.

$X$ will be the unknown variable in the equation

$AB=X$

$h=AD=X$ since we know that $AB = AD$ (height)

$DC=2X$ since the side $DC$ is $2$ times larger than $AB$

$A\text{rea}=3X$ since that the trapezoidal area is $3$ times bigger than the side $AB$

We can now substitute the values into the formula.

$A\text{rea}=\frac{(X+2X)\times X}{2}=\frac{3X}{1}=$

We eliminate the fractions by multiplying the whole equation by two:

$6X=X(X+2)$

We divide both sides of the equation by $X$:

$6=X+2X$

$6=3X$

$X=2$

Therefore, side $AB=2$

What is the formula to find the area of a trapezoid?

$\frac{\left(Base1+Base2\right)\times Height}{2}=Area~of~trapezoid$

How do you calculate the perimeter of a trapezoid?

The lengths of the four sides are added together.

What is a trapezoid?

It is a quadrilateral that has a pair of parallel opposite sides.

What is the main characteristic of a trapezoid?

It has two parallel sides.

If you are interested in learning to find the area of other geometric shapes you can visit one of the following articles:

• Symmetry in trapezoids
• Diagonals of an isosceles trapezium
• How to calculate the perimeter of a trapezium?
• Characteristics and types of trapezoids
• How to calculate the area of a triangle
• The area of a parallelogram: what is it and how to calculate it?
• Circular area
• Surface area of triangular prisms
• How to calculate the area of a rhombus?
• How to calculate the area of a regular hexagon?
• Area of a rectangle
• How to calculate the area of an orthoctahedron

On Tutorela website you will find a variety of articles about mathematics.

The formula for finding the area of a trapezoid doesn't have to be complicated.
All you need to do is review until you can remember the formula, and then you will be able to input the given values from the exercises with ease.

Also, remember that it is important to follow the order of operations in their proper order: PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition and then Subtraction).

Sometimes, you may have to solve for areas of trapezoids with missing values.

However, if you are familiar with the properties of the different types of trapezoids (like isosceles and rectangular trapezoids), you will be able to find the missing values and solve for the area.

How many exercises should I practice?

Since every student learns at a different pace, the answer to this question will be individual for everyone.
The important thing is to understand your current level, and know when you need to practice more and when you're ready to move on.
Typically, we recommend starting by solving ten basic and medium level exercises in order to memorize the basic formula.

The answer is quite simple.
Many students are deathly afraid of pop quizzes, but in reality, they are an opportunity to practice and show your knowledge.
The key to doing well is to study consistenly throughout the year, not just before the exams.

• Knowing that there will be a test will usually motivate you to stay up to date on your homework.
• Avoid falling behind on your studies, and stay on top of the latest lectures.
• Exams questions usually start by testing your knowledge on one topic at a time. For example: calculate the area of a trapezoid.
• Grades are based on a yearly average, so it is in your best interest to get the best possible score on each test.

As long as you pay attention in class and do your homework, you won't have to be afraid of exams.

Are there topics that you don't understand or can't remember learning? Some topics might seem easy to you, while some may seem more difficult - that's completely normal!

Important: don't over-procrastinate learning the course material. The pace in math courses can be fast and you don't want to get left behind.
Many new topics are built on what topics you've already learned. Therefore, if you haven't taken the time to make sure you know an old topic well, you might find it hard to understand the new topic.
How do you know if you are falling behind?

• You find it difficult to stay concentrated in class because you don't understand the teacher.
• You have difficulty doing your homework.
• You have started getting lower scores on your exams.

• You can ask a classmate to help explain what you don't understand.
• Speak up and ask your math teacher to help you.
• You can find a private tutor to help you strengthen the ares that you are struggling with.

There are students who find it difficult to keep up with the pace in class.
It is important to understand that learning quickly is not necessarily related to the student's ability to understand, or even to passing exams and getting good scores.
Sometimes teachers have to teach material quickly in order to cover all the topics in their curriculum. When this happens, there are often students who do not manage to catch all the the different explanations and formulas, and little by little they fall behind.

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