A picnic table is being created that is shaped like an isosceles trapezoid, as shown. The top of the table is going to be covered with tiles. Each tile covers 1/2 square feet. How many tiles will be needed to cover the top of the table?

Answer 1

To find the total area of the trapezoid table top, we first need to calculate the area of the trapezoid.

The formula for the area of a trapezoid is A = 1/2 * (b1 + b2) * h, where b1 and b2 are the lengths of the parallel sides and h is the height.

In this case, let's say the lengths of the parallel sides (b1 and b2) are 6 feet and 4 feet respectively, and the height (h) is 3 feet.

Therefore, the area of the trapezoid is A = 1/2 * (6 + 4) * 3 = 1/2 * 10 * 3 = 15 square feet.

Since each tile covers 1/2 square feet, we need to divide the total area of the table top by the area of each tile to find out how many tiles are needed.

15 square feet / 1/2 square feet = 30 tiles

Therefore, 30 tiles will be needed to cover the top of the table.