We can find the area of the trapezoid by dividing it into two shapes: a rectangle and a right triangle. The area of the trapezoid is 25.5 square centimeters
Rectangle: The rectangle has a base of 6 cm and a height of 3 cm. Its area can be calculated using the formula for the area of a rectangle: Area = base × height. Therefore, the area of the rectangle is 6 cm × 3 cm = 18 cm².
Right triangle: The right triangle has a base of 5 cm (the difference between the two bases of the trapezoid) and a height of 3 cm. Its area can be calculated using the formula for the area of a triangle: Area = 0.5 × base × height. Therefore, the area of the right triangle is 0.5 × 5 cm × 3 cm = 7.5 cm².
Finally, to find the total area of the trapezoid, we add the areas of the rectangle and the right triangle: Area_trapezoid = Area_rectangle + Area_triangle. Therefore, the area of the trapezoid is 18 cm² + 7.5 cm² = 25.5 cm².
Therefore, the answer to the question is: "The area of the trapezoid is 25.5 square centimeters."