Step-by-Step Guide: How to Easily Calculate the Area of a Trapezoid with Formula and Example

Area of a trapezoid

To find the area of a trapezoid, you can use the formula:

Area = (1/2) * (b1 + b2) * h

where b1 and b2 are the lengths of the two parallel bases of the trapezoid, and h is the height (the perpendicular distance between the bases)

To find the area of a trapezoid, you can use the formula:

Area = (1/2) * (b1 + b2) * h

where b1 and b2 are the lengths of the two parallel bases of the trapezoid, and h is the height (the perpendicular distance between the bases).

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to calculate the area of a trapezoid:

1. Identify the lengths of the two parallel bases, b1 and b2. These are usually the longer and shorter sides of the trapezoid.
2. Measure or determine the height of the trapezoid, which is the perpendicular distance between the bases. Make sure the height is measured perpendicular to the bases.
3. Plug the values of b1, b2, and h into the formula: Area = (1/2) * (b1 + b2) * h.
4. Perform the addition inside the parenthesis: b1 + b2.
5. Multiply the sum by the height: (b1 + b2) * h.
6. Finally, multiply the result by 1/2 to get the area: Area = (1/2) * (b1 + b2) * h.

Let’s work through an example:

Suppose we have a trapezoid with a longer base (b1) measuring 8 units, a shorter base (b2) measuring 4 units, and a height (h) of 5 units.

Area = (1/2) * (8 + 4) * 5
= (1/2) * 12 * 5
= 6 * 5
= 30 square units

So, the area of this trapezoid is 30 square units.

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