Huy N.

asked • 09/11/21

I really don't understand how to solve this question. There are so many missing information to solve.

A trapezoid has a long base equal to 8. The trapezoid can be split into a rectangular and a triangle, and the area of the rectangle is equal to 40. Solve for its height and its shorter base?

Mark M.

You are correct. Insufficient information to formulate a solution.
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09/12/21

Huy N.

Thank you. I'm just checking if there is actually a hidden way to solve the problem. But I have a question: if the area of the trapezoid was 40 instead, would the problem still be solvable?
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09/12/21

Mark M.

No, since it is a composite figure - triangle and rectangle.
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09/12/21

1 Expert Answer

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Andrew R. answered • 09/12/21

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h is the height

T is the top

b is the bottom


b * h = 40 ---> b = 40/h


Area = (1/2)h ( T+b)


= (1/2)*h*(8 + b)


= (1/2)*h*(8 + 40/h)


We need the area of the trapezoid

or the height of the trapezoid


If the area of the trapezoid were 40, then


40 = (1/2)*h*(8 + t)


then we need either the height of the trapezoid or the top measure

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