Find the area of the trapezoid ABCD

Question

A(-5,4) B(0,3) C(4,-1) D(4,-5) Points F(-2,1) E(2,-3) are also included, so the height is 2.8? I believe the perimeter is 27.3? How do I find the area?

Answer 1

If you are SURE that the height you have is correct, then use the distance formula to find the length of the 2 bases. Then the area is (height/2)(sum of the 2 bases).

If you are not sure about the height, use the formula for the distance from a point to a line to get it.

Get the equation of the longer base first. The use the formula from (0,3) to that line.