What is the formula for area of a trapeziod?

1 Answer
mason m
Jan 2, 2016

#A_"trapezoid"=(b_1+b_2)/2xxh#

Explanation:

#A_"trapezoid"=(b_1+b_2)/2xxh#

An easy and intuitive way to think about this formula is in how it is similar to the area of a rectangle.

In a trapezoid, the bases are different lengths, so we can take the average of the bases, #(b_1+b_2)/2#, to find the "average" base length. This is then multiplied by the height. In a rectangle, the bases are always the same length, but here, imagine taking some from the longer base and giving it to the shorter base.

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