Answer: 34 cm^2.
Step-by-step explanation: To find the area of a trapezoid, you need to add base 1 and base 2, multiply the height, and divide it all by 1/2. The steps are done below:
- Find base 1, base 2, and the height: To find base 1 and base 2, you find the top and bottom lengths of the trapezoid. 5 is the top and 12 is the bottom of the trapezoid. You can assign whichever base to whichever number, as long as base 1 and base 2 have a number. For this problem, we'll assign 5 for base 1 and 12 for base 2. To find the height, you need to find the height of the trapezoid, which is 4.
- Make an equation: The equation should look like the following... 5 (base 1) + 12 (base 2) x 4 (height) / 1/2.
- Solve: The first thing you should do when solving is to add the bases together, which is 17. Next multiply the height which is 4, by 17, which is 68. Lastly divide 68 by 2, which can be done in two ways. You can either simply divide 68 by 2 or multiply 68 by 1/2, which will both give you the same answer. 68 x 1/2 = 34.
Therefore, your answer is 34 cm^2. There's an image below if you need additional information.
Hope this helps! :)