document.write( "Question 715801: Ok, I have a problem on my homework that I want to make sure is right. The problem is:'A trapezoid has height h. One base is 4 units shorter than the height. The other base is 5 times longer than the height. Write a polynomial for the area of the trapezoid.' So obviously the formula for a trapezoid's area is A=1/2(h)(b1+b2). The polynomial I got for it is A= 1/2(6h^2-4h). Is this correct? If not, please tell me where I went wrong and how to fix it. Thank you! :) \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #439624 by Edwin McCravy(20064) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!

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document.write( "A = (6h²-4h) is correct but why not multiply it all the way out?\r\n" );
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document.write( "A = h[(h-4)+(5h)] = h(h-4+5h) = h(6h-4) = 3h²-2h\r\n" );
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document.write( "or you could factor out h and write it as h(3h-2), but don't leave it with\r\n" );
document.write( "a fraction factor when it is not necessary.\r\n" );
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document.write( "Edwin

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