Which formula represents the area of a trapezoid?

Which formula represents the area of a trapezoid?

• A. A = b1 + b2
• B. A = 1/2(b1 + b2)h
• C. A = bh
• D. A = 3.14(d)

Answer: (B)

The formula that represents the area of a trapezoid is A = 1/2(b1 + b2)h, which indicates that to find the area, you must take the average of the lengths of the two bases (b1 and b2) and multiply that by the height (h) of the trapezoid. In a trapezoid, the two bases are the parallel sides, and the height is the perpendicular distance between these bases. By taking the sum of the lengths of these bases and dividing by 2, you calculate their average length. Multiplying this average by the height gives you the area, effectively capturing the space within the trapezoid's shape. This method aligns well with the geometric principles involved, illustrating how the average base length accounts for the varying lengths of the two bases in the shape.

The formula that represents the area of a trapezoid is A = 1/2(b1 + b2)h, which indicates that to find the area, you must take the average of the lengths of the two bases (b1 and b2) and multiply that by the height (h) of the trapezoid.

In a trapezoid, the two bases are the parallel sides, and the height is the perpendicular distance between these bases. By taking the sum of the lengths of these bases and dividing by 2, you calculate their average length. Multiplying this average by the height gives you the area, effectively capturing the space within the trapezoid's shape.

This method aligns well with the geometric principles involved, illustrating how the average base length accounts for the varying lengths of the two bases in the shape.