Question

Quinn is building a table. The top is an isosceles trapezoid, with bases that are 1.5 meters and 2 meters, and a height of 1 meter. What is the area of the table top

Answer 1

To find the area of an isosceles 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 bases, and \( h \) is the height of the trapezoid.

In this case:
- \( b_1 = 1.5 \) meters (the shorter base),
- \( b_2 = 2 \) meters (the longer base),
- \( h = 1 \) meter (the height).

Now, plugging in the values:

\[
\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times (1.5 + 2) \times 1
\]
\[
= \frac{1}{2} \times 3.5 \times 1
\]
\[
= \frac{3.5}{2}
\]
\[
= 1.75 \, \text{square meters}
\]

Therefore, the area of the table top is \( \boxed{1.75} \) square meters.