Question

The area of a trapezoid with height z is 20 sq .cm. The length s of the parallel sides are (2z+3) and (6z-1) cm. Find the height of the trapezoid. In your final answer, include all of the formulas and calculations necessary to solve for the height.

Answer 1

Area of a trapezoid = ½(a + b)h, where a and b are the lengths of the parallel sides and h is its height.

From your information 20 = ½(2z + 3 + 6z – 1)z = ½(8z + 2)z = z(4z + 1)

Solve 20 = 4z² + z which is 0 = 4z² + z – 20 using the quadratic formula

Explanation: