Question

An isosceles trapezoid has a perimeter of 42 meters. Its shorter base measures 1 meter and its longer base measures 7 meters. The two remaining sides have the same length; what is that length?

Answer 1

Answer and Step-by-step explanation:

Let's denote the length of the two equal sides of the isosceles trapezoid as x meters.

The perimeter of the trapezoid is the sum of all its sides. In this case, it is given as 42 meters.

To find the length of the equal sides, we can set up an equation using the given information:

Shorter base + Longer base + Two equal sides = Perimeter

1 + 7 + 2x = 42

Simplifying the equation:

8 + 2x = 42

Subtracting 8 from both sides:

2x = 34

Dividing both sides by 2:

x = 17

Therefore, the length of the two equal sides of the isosceles trapezoid is 17 meters.