Enter the dimensions of the trapezoid to calculate its area.
How to Calculate Trapezoid Area
The area of a trapezoid is the region enclosed by its four sides. It's a fundamental concept in geometry with practical applications in various fields. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to calculate the area of a trapezoid:
Trapezoid Area Formula
The formula for calculating the area of a trapezoid is:
\(A = \frac{1}{2}(a + b)h\)
Where:
\(A\) is the area of the trapezoid
\(a\) and \(b\) are the lengths of the parallel sides
\(h\) is the height (perpendicular distance between the parallel sides)
Calculation Steps
Identify the parallel sides of the trapezoid and measure their lengths (a and b)
Measure the height of the trapezoid (h) - this is the perpendicular distance between the parallel sides
Add the lengths of the parallel sides (a + b)
Multiply the sum by the height ((a + b) × h)
Divide the result by 2 to get the final area
Example Calculation
Let's calculate the area of a trapezoid with the following dimensions:
Parallel side a = 6 cm
Parallel side b = 10 cm
Height h = 4 cm
Identify the values: a = 6 cm, b = 10 cm, h = 4 cm
Apply the formula: \(A = \frac{1}{2}(a + b)h\)
Substitute the values: \(A = \frac{1}{2}(6 + 10) \times 4\)
Therefore, the area of the trapezoid is 32 square centimeters.
Visual Representation
This diagram illustrates a trapezoid with parallel sides a = 6 cm and b = 10 cm, and height h = 4 cm. The red line represents the height of the trapezoid.