SOLUTION: Assume that the only area formula you know is the formula for the area of a triangle. Explain how to derive the formula for the area of the trapezoid

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Question 35222: Assume that the only area formula you know is the formula for the area of a triangle. Explain how to derive the formula for the area of the trapezoid
Answer by venugopalramana(3286) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Assume that the only area formula you know is the formula for the area of a triangle. Explain how to derive the formula for the area of the trapezoid
LET ABCD BE THE TRAPEZOID WITH AB PARALLEL TO CD.SEE DIAGRAM BELOW.
FROM C AND D DRAW CF AND DE PERPENDICULARS TO AB MEETING AB AT F AND E
JOIN EC
NOW AREA OF TRAPEZIUM =AREA OF TRIANGLE ADE+AREA OF TRIANGLE DEC+AREA OF TRIANGLE EFC+TRIANGLE CFB....ALL ARE RIGHT ANGLED TRIANGLES HENCE AREA =BASE*HT/2..HT.FOR ALL TRIANGLES =H=DE=CF=DISTANCE BETWEN PARALLEL SIDES OF TRAPEZIUM
AREA=(1/2)*H{AE+DC+EF+FB)=(1/2)*H(AE+EF+FB+DC)=(1/2)*H(AB+DC)
AREA OF TRAPEZIUM =(1/2)(SUM OF PARALLEL SIDES )(PERPENDICULAR DISTANCE BETWEEN THE 2 PARALLEL SIDES)
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