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the equal sides of an isosceles trapezoid eah measure 5, and its altitude measures 4. if the area of the trapezoid is 48, find...Asked by Emma
The equal sides of an isosceles trapezoid each measure 5, and its altitude measures 4. If the area of the trapezoid is 48, how do you find the lengths of its bases?
Answers
R_scott
area = average of the bases * altitude
average of the bases = 48 / 4 = 12
... so the sum of the bases is 24
the equal sides and the altitude
... form right triangles at the ends of the longer base
... two 3-4-5 triangles means that the longer base is 6 longer
b + b + 6 = 24 ... 2 b = 18 ... b = 9
so the bases are 9 and 15
average of the bases = 48 / 4 = 12
... so the sum of the bases is 24
the equal sides and the altitude
... form right triangles at the ends of the longer base
... two 3-4-5 triangles means that the longer base is 6 longer
b + b + 6 = 24 ... 2 b = 18 ... b = 9
so the bases are 9 and 15