Question

What is the area of the trapezoid?
height 5 cm
bottom 3 cm
top 9 cm
left 6 cm
square centimeters

Answer 1

To calculate the area of a trapezoid, you can use the formula:

\[
\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times (b_1 + b_2) \times h
\]

where \( b_1 \) and \( b_2 \) are the lengths of the two parallel sides (bases), and \( h \) is the height.

In your case:
- \( b_1 = 3 \) cm (bottom)
- \( b_2 = 9 \) cm (top)
- \( h = 5 \) cm (height)

Plugging in these values:

\[
\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times (3 + 9) \times 5
\]

\[
\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 12 \times 5
\]

\[
\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 60
\]

\[
\text{Area} = 30 \text{ square centimeters}
\]

Thus, the area of the trapezoid is **30 square centimeters**.