The length of one base of a trapezoid is 19 and the length of the median is 20. Find the length of the other base. The formula is Median= 1/2 (Base+Base)

Question

The length of one base of a trapezoid is 19 and the length of the median is 20. Find the length of the other base. The formula is Median= 1/2 (Base+Base)

Answer 1

Blake, we are dealing with the fact that the whole is the sum of its parts.

 

We have that our median is half of the bases added together.  If the length of the median is 20, then our bases added together must equal 40.

 

We have one base.  Base + 19 = 40, so the other base is 21.

 

If we want to do it algebraically, then 20 = 1/2(19 + b)

 

40 = 19 + b

  b = 21

 

Hope this helps!