Area Calculation: Trapezoid with 5-Unit Semicircular Top

Composite Area with Semicircular Extension

A trapezoid is shown in the figure below.

On its upper base there is a semicircle.

What is the area of the entire shape?

555111111333

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Find the area of the entire shape
00:03 The total area equals the area of the trapezoid plus half the area of the circle
00:12 Let's use the formula for calculating trapezoid area
00:16 (Sum of bases(AB+DC) multiplied by height(H))divided by 2
00:20 Let's substitute appropriate values and solve to find the area
00:24 This is the area of the trapezoid
00:28 Let's use the formula for calculating circle area
00:36 The diameter is 5
00:41 Let's use the radius we found to calculate the area of half the circle
00:47 This is the area of half the circle
00:55 Now let's combine the areas
00:59 And this is the solution to the problem

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

A trapezoid is shown in the figure below.

On its upper base there is a semicircle.

What is the area of the entire shape?

555111111333

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we start by finding the area of the trapezoid:

  • The formula for the area of a trapezoid is A=12×(b1+b2)×h A = \frac{1}{2} \times (b_1 + b_2) \times h , where b1 b_1 and b2 b_2 are the lengths of the parallel sides, and h h is the height.
  • Let's substitute the given values: b1=5 b_1 = 5 cm, b2=11 b_2 = 11 cm, and h=3 h = 3 cm.
  • Calculate the area: Atrapezoid=12×(5+11)×3=12×16×3=24 A_{\text{trapezoid}} = \frac{1}{2} \times (5 + 11) \times 3 = \frac{1}{2} \times 16 \times 3 = 24 cm².

Next, we calculate the area of the semicircle:

  • The formula for the area of a semicircle is A=12×π×r2 A = \frac{1}{2} \times \pi \times r^2 .
  • The radius r r is half of the upper base, so r=52=2.5 r = \frac{5}{2} = 2.5 cm.
  • Calculate the area: Asemicircle=12×π×(2.5)2=12×π×6.25=3.125π A_{\text{semicircle}} = \frac{1}{2} \times \pi \times (2.5)^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times \pi \times 6.25 = 3.125\pi cm².

Combine the areas to find the total area of the shape:

Total Area = Atrapezoid+Asemicircle=24+3.125π A_{\text{trapezoid}} + A_{\text{semicircle}} = 24 + 3.125\pi cm².

Thus, the area of the entire shape is 24+3.125π 24 + 3.125\pi cm².

3

Final Answer

24+3.125π 24+\text{3}.125\pi cm².

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Formula: Total area equals trapezoid area plus semicircle area
  • Technique: Radius is half the diameter: r = 5/2 = 2.5
  • Check: Verify trapezoid formula gives 24 and semicircle gives 3.125π ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Using diameter instead of radius for semicircle area
    Don't use the full 5 units as radius in 12×π×r2 \frac{1}{2} \times \pi \times r^2 = wrong area of 12.5π! The diameter is 5, so radius is half that. Always divide the diameter by 2 to get radius before calculating semicircle area.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Given the following trapezoid:

AAABBBCCCDDD584

Calculate the area of the trapezoid ABCD.

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I add the areas instead of subtracting?

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The semicircle is on top of the trapezoid, extending the shape outward. We're finding the total area of both shapes combined, so we add them together!

How do I know which measurement is the diameter?

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Look at the figure carefully! The upper base of the trapezoid (marked as 5) forms the diameter of the semicircle. The semicircle sits directly on this base.

What if I get a decimal instead of a fraction for π?

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Keep π in your answer! Since (2.5)2=6.25=254 (2.5)^2 = 6.25 = \frac{25}{4} , you can write the answer as either 24+3.125π 24 + 3.125\pi or 24+25π8 24 + \frac{25\pi}{8} .

Do I need to calculate the slanted sides of the trapezoid?

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No! The trapezoid area formula only needs the parallel bases (5 and 11) and the height (3). The slanted sides don't affect the area calculation.

Can I use 3.14 for π to get a decimal answer?

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The exact answer keeps π as a symbol: 24+3.125π 24 + 3.125\pi . If asked for a decimal approximation, then yes, substitute π ≈ 3.14 to get approximately 33.8 cm².

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