The area of a trapezoid can be calculated using a simple formula that takes into account the lengths of its two parallel sides and its height. The formula is as follows:
Area = 0.5 × (b₁ + b₂) × h
In this formula:
- b₁ = Length of the first (longer) parallel side
- b₂ = Length of the second (shorter) parallel side
- h = Height of the trapezoid (the perpendicular distance between the two parallel sides)
To apply this formula correctly, follow these steps:
- Measure the lengths of the two parallel sides (b₁ and b₂).
- Measure the height (h) of the trapezoid.
- Plug these values into the formula.
- Calculate the result to find the area.
For example, if a trapezoid has bases of 10 meters and 6 meters, with a height of 4 meters, the area would be calculated as follows:
Area = 0.5 × (10 + 6) × 4 = 0.5 × 16 × 4 = 32 square meters
This formula provides a straightforward way to determine the area of a trapezoid, making it a useful tool in geometry and various real-world applications.