Question

the two parallel bases of a trapezoid are 5inches and 6 inches long. the altitude of the trapezoid is 4inches. what is the area of the trapeziod?

i got 15

Answer 1

Well the area will be the sum of the area of a rectangle and either 1 or 2 triangles depending on what way you draw it.

The area of the rectangle will be height*shorter length = 4*5 = 20
The area of the triangle will be
(1/2)*base*height
base of triangle in this case =
longer length - shorter length = 6-5 = 1
Therefore area = (1/2)*1*4 = 2
So the total area = 20 + 2 = 22

Answer 2

You are both wrong.
The area of a trapezoid = sum of parallel sides/2* height
= (5+6)/2*6 = 33