Question

PLSS HELP

A trapezoid has a base of 4.5 inches, a height of 6 inches, and an area of 21 square inches. The equation below can be used to determine b2, the length in inches of the second base of the trapezoid.



12(4.5+b2)(6)=21



What is the length, in inches, of the second base of the trapezoid?

Answer 1

The second base of the trapezoid b2 is 2.5 inches

Explanation:

Here, we want to calculate the second base of the trapezoid.

Mathematically, the area of a trapezoid can be given as;

A = 1/2(a + b) h

where a and b represents the parallel bases and h is the height of the trapezoid

so this, we have from the question

1/2(4.5 + b2) * 6 = 21

3(4.5 + b2) = 21

divide both sides by 3

4.5 + b2 = 7

b2 = 7-4.5

b2 = 2.5 inches