Finding the Area of Trapezoids

This video tutorial by Kirk Weiler covers the calculation of trapezoid areas. It begins with a review of trapezoid properties and moves into exercises that demonstrate how to calculate areas by decomposing trapezoids into simpler shapes. The tutorial introduces the trapezoid area formula, which simplifies the process by using the average of the bases multiplied by the height. Exercises include applying the formula to various trapezoids, including those on a coordinate plane and solving for unknown dimensions. The video concludes with a summary of the key concepts and the efficiency of the formula.

What shape is primarily discussed in Unit 10, Lesson 2?

• Rectangle

• Triangle

• Trapezoid

• Circle

Which method involves breaking a trapezoid into simpler geometric shapes?

• Trapezoidal rule

• Average base method

• Decomposition method

• Pythagorean theorem

What is the formula for the area of a trapezoid using the average of the bases?

• 2 * (Base1 + Base2) / Height

• (Base1 + Base2) * Height / 2

• Height * (Base1 + Base2) / 2

• (Base1 + Base2) / Height

How do you find the average of two numbers?

• Subtract them and divide by 2

• Add them and divide by 3

• Multiply them and divide by 2

• Add them and divide by 2

What is the area of a trapezoid with bases 8 cm and 22 cm, and height 6 cm?

• 90 square centimeters

• 15 square centimeters

• 180 square centimeters

• 30 square centimeters

In the coordinate plane, how do you determine the length of a side of a trapezoid?

• Using a ruler

• Estimating visually

• Using the distance formula

• By counting the grid squares

How can the area of a trapezoid be calculated if the bases are not directly measurable?

• By measuring diagonals

• Using the average base formula

• By estimating the area

• None of the above

What is the correct approach to solve for 'x' in the trapezoid area problem?

• Setting up an equation with the area formula

• Guessing and checking different values

• Using the quadratic formula

• Using a proportion

What is the area of the triangle part in the complex trapezoid problem if the rectangle's area is 96 square inches and the total area is 116 square inches?

• 16 square inches

• 30 square inches

• 24 square inches

• 20 square inches

What is the value of 'x' when the trapezoid's area is 116 square inches, one base is 12 inches, and the height is 8 inches?

• 5 inches

• 6 inches

• 7 inches

• 8 inches