Question

Sketch a trapezoid and label its bases and height. State the formula for finding its area.

Short answer

Area of Trapezoid is$\text{Area}=\frac{1}{2}\times \left(b_1+b_2\right)\times \text{Height}$.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Given Information.

The given statement is “Label the base and height of trapezoid and sketch the figure”.

Step 2. Formula used.

The area of the trapezoid is defined as,

$\text{Area}=\frac{1}{2}\times \left({\text{base}}_1+{\text{base}}_2\right)\times \text{Height}$

Step 3. Explanation.

Consider the given information.
Let’s suppose that, $b_1,b_2$are the lengths of each base and h is the altitude (height).

Label the bases and height in the figure.

Now, write the formula of area.

$\text{Area}=\frac{1}{2}\times \left(b_1+b_2\right)\times h$

Recall that the bases are the two parallel sides of the trapezoid. The altitude (or height) of a trapezoid is the perpendicular distance between the two bases.