Each part describes a trapezoid.
a) The parallel sides are \(4.5\,\text{m}\) and \(3.5\,\text{m}\), and the height is \(2\,\text{m}\). Find the average length of the parallel sides and the area.
b) One parallel side is \(8\,\text{cm}\), their average is \(10\,\text{cm}\), and the area is \(50\,\text{cm}^2\). Find the other parallel side and the height.
c) One parallel side is \(12\,\text{mm}\), their average is \(15\,\text{mm}\), and the height is \(10\,\text{mm}\). Find the other parallel side and the area.
Hints
- How is the average of two lengths related to their total length?
- In part b), what do you know about the two sides even though only one length is given?
- Check that your side lengths give the stated average.
Solution
1. For a), the average is \(\frac{4.5+3.5}{2}=4\,\text{m}\). The area is \(4\times2=8\,\text{m}^2\).
2. For b), the parallel sides total \(2\times10=20\,\text{cm}\), so the other side is \(20-8=12\,\text{cm}\). The height is \(50\div10=5\,\text{cm}\).
3. For c), the parallel sides total \(2\times15=30\,\text{mm}\), so the other side is \(30-12=18\,\text{mm}\). The area is \(15\times10=150\,\text{mm}^2\).
Answer
a) Average: \(4\,\text{m}\); area: \(8\,\text{m}^2\).
b) Other parallel side: \(12\,\text{cm}\); height: \(5\,\text{cm}\).
c) Other parallel side: \(18\,\text{mm}\); area: \(150\,\text{mm}^2\).