How to Calculate the Area of a Trapezoid

A trapezoid is simply a figure with one pair of parallel sides. It is easy to calculate the area of a trapezoid by following these simple directions.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 

   To calculate the area of a trapezoid, add the base of 1 side to the base of the other side and divide the sum of the two bases by 2. The bases are the parallel sides of the trapezoid. If you refer to the following diagram, they are labeled b1 and b2. You then multiply the dividend of that number by the height of the trapezoid. In other words, the equation to use is:
   
   Area= {(base 1 + base 2) / 2} * H, where H is the height.

2. 

   So, to find the area of a trapezoid that has a base of 10 inches, another base of 6 inches, and a height of 3 inches, you would simply plug these numbers into the equation.
   
   Area= {(base 1 + base 2) / 2} * H, where H is the height.
   Area= {(10 + 8) / 2} * 3
   Area= 9 * 3
   Area= 27

3. 

   The shapes of trapezoids can vary, but the equation for calculating the area of it is always the same.

Resources

• How to Calculate Area of a Triangle
• How to Calculate Area of a Circle
• How to Calculate Area of a Rectangle
• How to Calculate Circumference of a Circle

[sonni57]

on 3/17/2009 Good to know info thanks for doing the research.

[athome]

on 3/15/2009 Numbers, why does there have to be so many? 5*