Calculate Trapezoid Perimeter: Shape with Sides 16, 15, and 1

Q: Why does this trapezoid have two sides labeled 16?

This is an isosceles trapezoid where the two non-parallel sides (legs) are equal in length. Both legs measure 16 units, which is perfectly normal for this type of shape.

Q: How do I know which sides to add?

Add all four sides shown in the diagram! Look for every labeled measurement: the top base (16), bottom base (1), and both legs (15 and 16).

Q: Is the perimeter formula different for trapezoids?

No! The perimeter of any polygon is simply the sum of all its side lengths. For this trapezoid: $ P = side_1 + side_2 + side_3 + side_4 $

Trapezoid Perimeter with Given Side Lengths

Calculate the perimeter of the trapezoid below:

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Calculate the perimeter of the trapezoid below:

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

Identify the given side lengths of the trapezoid.
Apply the formula for the perimeter of a trapezoid.
Perform the addition of all side lengths to calculate the perimeter.

Let's work through each step:

Step 1: Identify the given side lengths. The trapezoid has:

Top base: $a = 16$
Bottom base: $b = 1$
Non-parallel side: $c = 15$
Other non-parallel side: $d = 16$

Step 2: We'll use the formula for the perimeter of a trapezoid:

$P = a + b + c + d$

Step 3: Plug in the values and perform the calculation:

$P = 16 + 1 + 15 + 16$

$P = 48$

Therefore, the perimeter of the trapezoid is $48$ .

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Formula: Add all four sides of the trapezoid together
Technique: $P = 16 + 1 + 15 + 16 = 48$
Check: Count all four labeled sides in the diagram: 16 + 1 + 15 + 16 = 48 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Missing one of the four sides when calculating
Don't add just three sides like 16 + 15 + 1 = 32! This ignores the fourth side and gives an incomplete perimeter. Always identify and add all four sides of the trapezoid, even if two sides have the same length.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Calculate the perimeter of the trapezoid according to the following data:

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why does this trapezoid have two sides labeled 16?

This is an isosceles trapezoid where the two non-parallel sides (legs) are equal in length. Both legs measure 16 units, which is perfectly normal for this type of shape.

How do I know which sides to add?

Add all four sides shown in the diagram! Look for every labeled measurement: the top base (16), bottom base (1), and both legs (15 and 16).

Is the perimeter formula different for trapezoids?

No! The perimeter of any polygon is simply the sum of all its side lengths. For this trapezoid: $P = side_1 + side_2 + side_3 + side_4$

What if I can't see all the side lengths in the diagram?

Look carefully at the SVG diagram - all four sides are labeled with their measurements. The colors help distinguish different sides: red for parallel sides, blue and green for the legs.

Can I double-check my answer?

Yes! Count each side measurement from the diagram: 16 (top) + 16 (right leg) + 1 (bottom) + 15 (left leg) = 48. You can also add in different orders to verify.

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