According to the material, what is the area formula for a trapezoid with height h and bases b1 and b2?

According to the material, what is the area formula for a trapezoid with height h and bases b1 and b2?

• A. Area = h(b2 - b1)
• B. Area = h(b2 - b1)/2
• C. Area = h(b1 + b2)/2
• D. Area = (b2 - b1)/2

Answer: (B)

The area of a trapezoid is found by multiplying its height by the average of the two bases. With bases b1 and b2 and height h, the average of the bases is (b1 + b2)/2, so the area is A = h(b1 + b2)/2. This reflects the idea that a trapezoid with the same height and bases can be thought of as having a width equal to the average of the bases. Among common forms, the one that matches this is Area = h(b1 + b2)/2. Forms using the difference of the bases or omitting the height do not give the correct area in general.

The area of a trapezoid is found by multiplying its height by the average of the two bases. With bases b1 and b2 and height h, the average of the bases is (b1 + b2)/2, so the area is A = h(b1 + b2)/2. This reflects the idea that a trapezoid with the same height and bases can be thought of as having a width equal to the average of the bases.

Among common forms, the one that matches this is Area = h(b1 + b2)/2. Forms using the difference of the bases or omitting the height do not give the correct area in general.