Understanding the Area of a Trapezoid

The video tutorial explains how to find the area of a trapezoid by averaging the lengths of its two parallel bases and multiplying by the height. It provides a step-by-step calculation using specific base and height values, resulting in an area of 52 square centimeters. The tutorial also offers an intuitive explanation of why the formula works by comparing the trapezoid's area to the areas of rectangles formed by the bases and height.

What is the basic formula for finding the area of a trapezoid?

• Average of the bases times the height

• Difference of the bases times the height

• Sum of the bases times the height

• Base times height

How do you calculate the average of the bases in a trapezoid?

• Add the bases and multiply by two

• Subtract the smaller base from the larger base

• Add the bases and divide by two

• Multiply the bases and divide by two

What is the height used in the area calculation of the trapezoid in the example?

• 6 cm

• 5 cm

• 4 cm

• 3 cm

What is the result of 15 plus 11 divided by 2?

• 12

• 13

• 14

• 15

What is the final area of the trapezoid in the example?

• 52 square centimeters

• 48 square centimeters

• 50 square centimeters

• 54 square centimeters

Why does the formula for the area of a trapezoid make sense?

• It averages the areas of two rectangles

• It is derived from the area of a circle

• It is based on the perimeter of the trapezoid

• It uses the height of the trapezoid only

What does the visual explanation use to illustrate the formula?

• Triangles

• Circles

• Rectangles

• Squares

What is the area of the rectangle using the smaller base and height?

• 44 square centimeters

• 40 square centimeters

• 32 square centimeters

• 36 square centimeters

What is the area of the rectangle using the larger base and height?

• 48 square centimeters

• 56 square centimeters

• 60 square centimeters

• 52 square centimeters

What is the final conclusion about the area of a trapezoid?

• It is the difference of the areas of two rectangles

• It is the average of the areas of two rectangles

• It is the sum of the areas of two rectangles

• It is the product of the areas of two rectangles