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Trapezoid Area Formula

The trapezoid area formula finds the area of a four-sided shape with one pair of parallel sides. Use A = ½(a + b)h, where a and b are the parallel sides and h is the height.

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The formula

A trapezoid has two parallel sides of different lengths, called bases. Because the parallel sides differ, the area formula averages them: A = ½ × (base₁ + base₂) × height.

How to apply it

Add the two bases, multiply by the perpendicular height between them, and take half. The height must be measured straight between the parallel sides, not along a slanted edge.

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Frequently asked questions

1

What is a trapezoid?

A trapezoid is a four-sided shape with exactly one pair of parallel sides. Those parallel sides are called the bases; the perpendicular gap between them is the height.

2

How do I use the trapezoid area formula?

Add the two bases, multiply by the height, and halve the result: A = ½(a + b)h. The formula averages the two base lengths, since they differ in length.

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