Question

The height of a trapezoid is 4 in. And its area is 48 in 2. One base of a trapezoid is 6 inches longer than the other base. What are the lengths of the bases? Complete the explanation of how you found your answer.

Answer 1

a=9

b=15

Explanation:

Well the area formula of a trapezoid is:
`(a+b)/(2) *h`

`(a+b)/(2) *4=48`

Divide both sides by 4

`(a+b)/(2) =12`

Multiply both sides by 2

a+b=24

Now since one of the sides (b) is 6 inches longer than a, we get;

a+a+6=24

Subtract 6 from both sides

2a=18

Divide both sides by 2

a=9

b=9+6=15