Example

Roberta is making a sign in the shape of the

trapezoid shown. What is the area of the sign?

Separate the trapezoid into a triangle and a

rectangle, and label the dimensions as shown

below. Then find the combined area of the triangle

and the rectangle.

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Area of a triangle - Joh 101)(5) - 2.5 square feet

Area of a rectangle bh (2)(5) = 10 square feet

2.5 square feet + 10 square feet = 12.5 square feet

The area of the sign is 12.5 square feet.

Which Measure do you use to find both the area of the triangle