In order to solve problems which require application of the
area and
perimeter for trapezoids, it is necessary to
In a typical problem involving
area and
perimeter of a trapezoid, we are given some measurements of the bases, height, area, or
perimeter and asked to calculate the others. The problem can be easier if we know that the
trapezoid is isosceles (the non-parallel sides are of equal length).
Two diagrams that illustrate these given are shown below. Notice that s
1> s
2 and that
symmetry is not a condition of the trapezoid. Unfortunately, we could construct infinitely many trapezoids with bases of 8 and 5 and a
height of 4.
Although we can NOT find the
perimeter because the possible trapezoids which we can draw can have different lengths for the other two sides, we can, interestingly enough, find the
area of any
trapezoid meeting the
base and
height requirements by using the formula
A = (½ h)(B + b)
A = (2)(13)
A = 26
Notice the importance of making a diagram (or more than one) to see what is happening when using the given information.