For each trapezoid, find the missing measurements.
a) \(b_1=4.5\,\text{m}\), \(b_2=3.5\,\text{m}\), \(h=2\,\text{m}\). Find the midsegment \(m\) and area \(A\).
b) \(b_1=8\,\text{cm}\), \(m=10\,\text{cm}\), \(A=50\,\text{cm}^2\). Find \(b_2\) and \(h\).
c) \(b_2=12\,\text{mm}\), \(m=15\,\text{mm}\), \(h=10\,\text{mm}\). Find \(b_1\) and \(A\).
Hints
- Work one part at a time and decide which relationship connects the known measurements to the unknown measurement.
- The midsegment is the average of the two parallel side lengths, so twice the midsegment gives their total length.
- Area equals midsegment times height.
Solution
1. For a), \(m=\frac{4.5+3.5}{2}=4\,\text{m}\). Then \(A=mh=4\times2=8\,\text{m}^2\).
2. For b), the two parallel sides total \(2\times10=20\,\text{cm}\), so \(b_2=20-8=12\,\text{cm}\). Also, \(h=50\div10=5\,\text{cm}\).
3. For c), the two parallel sides total \(2\times15=30\,\text{mm}\), so \(b_1=30-12=18\,\text{mm}\). Then \(A=mh=15\times10=150\,\text{mm}^2\).
Answer
a) \(m=4\,\text{m}\), \(A=8\,\text{m}^2\)
b) \(b_2=12\,\text{cm}\), \(h=5\,\text{cm}\)
c) \(b_1=18\,\text{mm}\), \(A=150\,\text{mm}^2\)