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Converting metric units Area of a rectangle Area of a square Area of a triangle Area of a right triangleHere you will learn about finding the area of a trapezoid, including how to decompose a trapezoid into other shapes, finding missing dimensions, and applying this to real world scenarios.
Students first learn about the area of trapezoids in 6 th grade with their work in geometry. They expand upon their knowledge as they progress through middle and high school.
The area of a trapezoid is the amount of space inside the trapezoid. The area is measured in units squared \left(\mathrm{cm}^2, \mathrm{~m}^2, i \mathrm{n}^2, f t^2, e t c . \right)
A trapezoid (also known as a trapezium) is a quadrilateral with exactly one pair of parallel sides. The parallel sides are referred to as the bases of the trapezoid and are indicated using small arrows.
An isosceles trapezoid is a trapezoid where the base angles and legs are equal.
To find the area of a trapezoid:
Strategy 1: | Strategy 2: |
---|---|
Decompose the trapezoid | Use the formula for the area of a trapezoid. |
Area of the rectangle: | \begin{aligned} & \text { height }=5 \\ & \text { base } 1=6 \\ & \text { base } 2=10 \\\\ & \text { Area }=\cfrac{1}{2} \, \times 5 \times(6+10) \rightarrow \text {sum of the bases} \\\\ & \text { Area }=\cfrac{1}{2} \, \times 5 \times(16) \\\\ & \text { Area }=40 \mathrm{~cm}^2 \end{aligned} |
How does this relate to 6 th and 7 th grade math?
In order to find the area of a trapezoid:
Use this quiz to check your grade 4 to 6 studentsβ understanding of area. 15+ questions with answers covering a range of 4th, 5th and 6th grade area topics to identify areas of strength and support!
DOWNLOAD FREEUse this quiz to check your grade 4 to 6 studentsβ understanding of area. 15+ questions with answers covering a range of 4th, 5th and 6th grade area topics to identify areas of strength and support!
DOWNLOAD FREEFind the area of the trapezoid below:
Decompose the trapezoid into a rectangle and a triangle.
Rectangle dimensions:
\begin{aligned}& \text { height }=6 \mathrm{~cm} \\\\ & \text { base }=3 \mathrm{~cm}\end{aligned}
Triangle dimensions:
\text { height }=6 \mathrm{~cm}
To find the base of the triangle, subtract, 13-3 =10.
\text { base }=10 \mathrm{~cm}
2Substitute the given values into the formula.
\begin{aligned} & \text { Area of rectangle }=base \times height \\\\ & \text { Area of rectangle }=3 \times 6 \\\\ & \text { Area of rectangle }=18 \end{aligned}
\begin{aligned} & \text {Area of triangle }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times base \times height \\\\ & \text {Area of triangle }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 10 \times 6 \\\\ & \text {Area of triangle }=30 \end{aligned}
To find the area of the trapezoid, add the area of the rectangle and the area of the triangle.
\begin{aligned} & \text { Area of trapezoid }=\text { Area of rectangle }+\text { Area of triangle } \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=18+30 \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=48 \end{aligned}
3Write down your final answer, including the units.
The area of this trapezoid is 48 \mathrm{~cm}^2.
Find the area of the isosceles trapezoid.
Identify the given dimensions.
Decompose the isosceles trapezoid into a rectangle and two equal triangles.
Triangle dimensions (both triangles are equal (congruent)).
\text { height }=38 \mathrm{~m}
To find the base of one of the triangles, subtract 20 from 34.
34-20=14
Since both the triangles are equal, divide 14 by 2.
14 \div 2=7
The base of each triangle is 7 \mathrm{~m}.
\text { base }=7 \mathrm{~m}
Rectangle dimensions:
\begin{aligned}& \text { height }=38 \mathrm{~m} \\\\ & \text { base }=20 \mathrm{~m}\end{aligned}
Substitute the given values into the formula.
Triangle:
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times \text { base } \times \text { height } \\\\ & \text { Area }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 7 \times 38 \\\\ & \text { Area }=133\end{aligned}
Since there are two triangles that are equal, the total area of both triangles is:
2 \times 133=266
Rectangle
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area }=\text { base } \times \text { height } \\\\ & \text { Area }=20 \times 38 \\\\ & \text { Area }=760 \\\\\\ & \text { Area of Trapezoid }=\text {Area of two equal triangles }+ \text {Area of rectangle } \\\\ & \text { Area of Trapezoid }=266+760 \\\\ & \text { Area of Trapezoid }=1026
\end{aligned}
Write down your final answer, including the units.
The area of this trapezoid is 1026 \mathrm{~m}^2.
Find the area of the trapezoid.
Identify the given dimensions.
First change 950 \, cm to meters.
950 \mathrm{~cm}=9.50 \text { meters }
The trapezoid can be decomposed into one rectangle and one triangle.
The dimensions of the rectangle are:
\begin{aligned}& \text { base }=9.5 \mathrm{~m} \\\\ & \text { height }=8 \mathrm{~m}\end{aligned}
The dimensions of the triangle are:
\begin{aligned}& \text { height }=8 \mathrm{~m} \\\\ & \text { base }=14 \mathrm{~m}-9.5 \mathrm{~m} \\\\ & \text { base }=4.5 \mathrm{~m}\end{aligned}
Substitute the given values into the formula.
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area of rectangle }=\text { base } \times \text { height } \\\\ & \text { Area of rectangle }=9.5 \times 8 \\\\ & \text { Area of rectangle }=76 \\\\\\ & \text { Area of triangle }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times \text { base } \times \text { height } \\\\ & \text { Area of triangle }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 4.5 \times 8 \\\\ & \text { Area of triangle }=18 \\\\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=\text { Area of rectangle }+ \text { Area of triangle } \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=76+18 \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=94 \end{aligned}
Write down your final answer, including the units.
The area of this trapezoid is 94 \mathrm{~m}^2.
Use the formula for area of a trapezoid, A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times(\text { base } 1+\text { base } 2), to find the area of the trapezoid.
Identify the given dimensions.
The parallel sides of the trapezoids are the bases.
\begin{aligned}& \text { base } 1=13 \mathrm{~in} \\\\ & \text { base } 2=17 \mathrm{~in} \end{aligned}
The height of the trapezoid is the perpendicular distance between the bases (forms a right angle).
\text { height }=22 \mathrm{~in}
Substitute the given values into the formula.
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times(\text { base } 1+\text { base } 2) \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 22 \times(13+17) \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=330\end{aligned}
Write down your final answer, including the units.
The area of this trapezoid is 330 \mathrm{~in}^2.
Find the height of the trapezoid if the area is 540 \mathrm{~cm}^2.
Identify the given dimensions.
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area of trapezoid }=540 \mathrm{~cm}^2 \\\\ & \text { base } 1=32 \mathrm{~cm} \\\\ & \text { base } 2=40 \mathrm{~cm} \end{aligned}
Substitute the given values into the formula.
Use the formula for the area of the trapezoid to find the height.
\begin{aligned} &\text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times \text { height } \times(\text { base } 1+\text { base } 2) \\\\ & 540=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times(32+40) \\\\ & 540=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times 72 \\\\ & 540=36 \times h \\\\ & 540 \div 36=36 \times h\div 36 \\\\ & 15=h\end{aligned}
Write down your final answer, including the units.
The height of the trapezoid is 15 \mathrm{~cm}.
Sarah is looking to design the flower bed below at the front of her house in the shape of a trapezoid. She would like to cover the entire flower bed with rose bushes. Each bush needs 1.5 \mathrm{~m}^2 to allow the roots to spread out evenly.
What is the maximum number of rose bushes she can plant on her flower bed? Use the formula, \text { Area }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times \text { height } \times(\text { base } 1+\text { base } 2).
Identify the given dimensions.
\begin{aligned}& \text { base } 1=4.5 \mathrm{~m} \\\\ & \text { base } 2=1.5 \mathrm{~m} \\\\ & \text { height }=3 \mathrm{~m} \end{aligned}
Rose bush needs 1.5 \mathrm{~m}^2.
Substitute the given values into the formula.
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 3 \times(4.5+1.5) \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=9 \end{aligned}
The area of the trapezoid flower bed is 9 \mathrm{~m}^2. Since each rose bush needs 1.5 \mathrm{~m}^2 in space, divide 9 by 1.5.
9 \div 1.5=6
Write down your final answer, including the units.
A maximum of 6 rose bushes can be planted.
\begin{aligned}& A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 7 \mathrm{~cm} \times(4 \mathrm{~cm}+9 \mathrm{~cm}) \\\\ & A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 7 \mathrm{~cm} \times(13 \mathrm{~cm}) \\\\ & A=45.5 \mathrm{~cm}^2\end{aligned}
The height of this trapezoid is 7 \mathrm{~cm} not 8 \mathrm{~cm}.
1. If you decompose the isosceles trapezoid below into a rectangle and two congruent triangles, what would the base length of one of the triangles be?
16-10=6
The lengths of the bases circled in red sum to 6 \, m.
So the length of one base is half of 6.
6 \div 2=3
The length of one base is 3 \, m.
2. Find the area of the trapezoid.
Decompose the trapezoid into a rectangle and a triangle.
The area of the rectangle is:
\begin{aligned}& A=b \times h \\\\ & \text { base }=14 \\\\ & \text { height }=20 \\\\ & A=14 \times 20 \\\\ & A=280 \mathrm{~cm}^2\end{aligned}
The area of the triangle is:
\begin{aligned}& A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times b \times h \\\\ & \text { base }=4 \\\\ & \text { height }=20\end{aligned}
\begin{aligned}& A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 4 \times 20 \\\\ & A=40 \mathrm{~cm}^2\end{aligned}
To find the area of the trapezoid, add the area of the rectangle and the area of the triangle, 40+280=320.
The area of the trapezoid is 320 \mathrm{~cm}^2.
OR
You can use the formula for the area of a trapezoid.
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times(\text { base } 1+\text { base } 2) \\\\ & \text { height }=20 \\\\ & \text { base } 1=14 \\\\ & \text { base } 2=18 \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 20 \times(14+18) \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=10 \times 32 \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=320 \mathrm{~cm}^2\end{aligned}
3. Find the area of the isosceles trapezoid below:
Decompose the trapezoid into one rectangle with dimensions, \text { base }=7 and the \text { height }=4.5.
The area of the rectangle is:
\begin{aligned} A=b \times h \\\\ \text { base }=7 \end{aligned}
\begin{aligned}& \text { height }=4.5 \\\\ & A=7 \times 4.5 \\\\ & A=31.5 \end{aligned}
The two triangles are congruent, where the height of the triangles is 4.5 and the base of one of the triangles can be found by:
The area of a triangle:
\begin{aligned}& \text { base }=1 \\\\ & \text { height }=4.5 \\\\ & A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 4.5 \times 1 \\\\ & A=2.25\end{aligned}
Both triangles are equal so the area of the two triangles is, 2 \times 2.25=4.5
To find the area of the trapezoid, add the area of the rectangle and the two triangles.
\begin{aligned}& A=31.5+4.5 \\\\ & A=36 \mathrm{~m}^2\end{aligned}
OR
You can use the formula for the area of a trapezoid.
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times(\text { base } 1+\text { base } 2) \\\\ & \text { height }=4.5 \\\\ & \text { base } 1=7 \\\\ & \text { base } 2=9 \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 4.5 \times(7+9) \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=2.25 \times 16 \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=36 \mathrm{~m}^2\end{aligned}
4. Find the area of the trapezoid below:
First convert base 2 into centimeters by multiplying 0.68 \times 100=68.
0.68 \mathrm{~cm}=68 \mathrm{~m}
You can decompose the trapezoid into a triangle and a rectangle to find the area (see below) or use the formula for finding the area of a trapezoid,
\text { A }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times(\text { base } 1+\text { base } 2)
Area of rectangle:
\begin{aligned}& A=b \times h \\\\ & \text { base }=45 \\\\ & \text { height }=90 \\\\ & A=45 \times 90 \\\\ & A=4050\end{aligned}
Area of triangle:
\begin{aligned}& A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times b \times h \\\\ & \text { base }=23 \\\\ & \text { height }=90 \\\\ & A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 23 \times 90 \\\\ & A=1035\end{aligned}
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area of trapezoid }=\text { Area of rectangle }+ \text { Area of triangle } \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=4050+1035 \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=5085 \mathrm{~cm}^2\end{aligned}
OR
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times(\text { base } 1+\text { base } 2) \\\\ & \text { height }=90 \\\\ & \text { base } 1=45 \\\\ & \text { base } 2=68 \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 90 \times(45+68) \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=45 \times 113 \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=5085 \mathrm{~cm}^2\end{aligned}
5. Find the area of the trapezoid.
You can decompose the trapezoid into a rectangle and a triangle to find the area, or you can use the formula for the area of a trapezoid.
Area of rectangle:
\begin{aligned}& A=b \times h \\\\ & \text { base }=18 \cfrac{1}{8} \\\\ & \text { height }=9 \cfrac{3}{4} \\\\ & A=18 \cfrac{1}{8} \times 9 \cfrac{3}{4} \\\\ & A=\cfrac{145}{8} \times \cfrac{39}{4} \\\\ & A=\cfrac{5655}{32} \\\\ & A=176 \cfrac{23}{32}\end{aligned}
Area of triangle:
\begin{aligned}& A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times b \times h \\\\ & \text { base }=18 \cfrac{1}{8} \\\\ & \text { height }=3 \cfrac{1}{4} \\\\ & A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 18 \cfrac{1}{8} \times 3 \cfrac{1}{4} \\\\ & A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times \cfrac{145}{8} \times \cfrac{13}{4} \\\\ & A=\cfrac{1885}{64} \\\\ & A=29 \cfrac{29}{64}\end{aligned}
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area of trapezoid }=\text { Area of rectangle }+ \text { Area of triangle } \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=176 \cfrac{23}{32}+29 \cfrac{29}{64} \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=176 \cfrac{46}{64}+29 \cfrac{29}{64} \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=205 \cfrac{75}{64}=206 \cfrac{11}{64} \mathrm{~in}^2\end{aligned}
OR
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times(\text { base } 1+\text { base } 2) \\\\ & \text { height }=18 \cfrac{1}{8} \\\\ & \text { base } 1=9 \cfrac{3}{4} \\\\ & \text { base } 2=13 \\\\ & A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 18 \cfrac{1}{8} \times\left(9 \cfrac{3}{4}+13\right) \\\\ & A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 18 \cfrac{1}{8} \times 22 \cfrac{3}{4} \\\\ & A=\cfrac{1}{2} \times \cfrac{145}{8} \times \cfrac{91}{4} \\\\ & A=\cfrac{13195}{64}=206 \cfrac{11}{64} \mathrm{~in}^2\end{aligned}
6. Find the height of a trapezoid if the area is 54 \mathrm{~m}^2.
The formula for the area of a trapezoid is:
\begin{aligned}& \text { Area }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times(\text { base } 1+\text { base } 2) \\\\ & \text { Area }=54 \\\\ & \text { base } 1=6 \\\\ & \text { base } 2=9 \\\\ & 54=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times(6+9) \\\\ & 54=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times 15 \\\\ & 54=7.5 \times h \\\\ & 54 \div 7.5=7.5Β \times h\div 7.5 \\\\ & 7.2=h\end{aligned}
The height of the trapezoid is 7.2 \, cm.
7. Sally is looking to design the garden below, at the back of her house. She would like to cover the entire garden with grass. An individual carpet of grass covers an area of 4 square meters. How many rolls of grass will be needed to cover the entire garden?
\begin{aligned} & \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times h \times(\text { base } 1+\text { base } 2) \\\\ &\text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 5 \times(6+11) \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=\cfrac{1}{2} \times 5 \times 17 \\\\ & \text { Area of trapezoid }=42.5 \mathrm{~m}^2\end{aligned}
The area of the garden is 42.5 \, m^2 and an individual roll of grass covers 4 \mathrm{~m}^2. So to find the total number of rolls of grass needed, divide the area by the area of one roll.
42.5 \div 4=10.625
Since Sally cannot buy 0.625 of a roll of grass, she will need to purchase 11 rolls of grass.
When you get into high school, you will explore area of trapezoids in greater depth, where you will have to apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find a missing line segment of the trapezoid. You will also use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the perimeter of a trapezoid.
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