Question

A trapezoid is shown. The lengths of the bases K L and J M are 10 feet and 5 feet. The length of side L M is 6 feet. An altitude is drawn from point K to a point on side J M.
A plot of land has an area of 33.75 square feet. Jackson wants to put a 4-foot by 4-foot shed on the land. He can only do this if the height of the trapezoid is at least 4.5 feet. What is the height of the trapezoid?

feet

Answer 1

Area = (1/2)(base1 + base2) · height. Here (10 + 5)/2 = 7.5, so 7.5·h = 33.75. Thus h = 33.75/7.5 = 4.5 feet.