Question

The height of a trapezoid is 8 ft and its area is 116 ft2. One base of the trapezoid is 1 ft shorter than twice the length of the other base. Find the length of each base.

Answer 1

Explanation:

h = 8 ft

b₁ = 2b₂-1

area = h(b₁+b₂)/2 = 116

8((2b₂-1)+b₂)/2 = 116

3b₂-1 = 29

3b₂ = 30

b₂ = 10 ft

b₁ = 2b₂-1 = 19 ft

The bases are 19 ft and 10 ft