The cost for paint to cover the exterior of the four sides of a shed was $40. A can of paint costs $10 and will cover 33 square feet. The shed consists of four sides, each shaped like a trapezoid. They each have one base of 5 feet and one base of 6 feet. What is the altitude of each trapezoid?

Question

The cost for paint to cover the exterior of the four sides of a shed was $40. A can of paint costs $10 and will cover 33 square feet. The shed consists of four sides, each shaped like a trapezoid. They each have one base of 5 feet and one base of 6 feet.  What is the altitude of each trapezoid?

Steve · Answer

the area of a trapezoid is (b+B)h/2. Since we have 4 trapezoids with bases 5 and 6, the total area is

4(5+6)h/2 = 22h ft^2

paint costs $10/33ft^2 = .3030 $/ft^2
cost of $40 means 132 ft^2
22h = 132, so h=6 ft