Compare Two Trapezoids: Analyzing Measurements x+5, 17, and Variable y

Trapezoid Perimeters with Variable Expressions

What can be said about the two trapezoids in the diagram?

x+517y10x12

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 What can be said about the trapezoids?
00:03 The perimeter of a trapezoid equals the sum of its sides
00:07 Let's calculate the perimeter of trapezoid 1
00:11 This is the perimeter of trapezoid 1
00:14 Let's use the same method to calculate the perimeter of trapezoid 2
00:34 Let's simplify what we can
00:37 And we'll see that the perimeter of trapezoid 2 equals the perimeter of trapezoid 1
00:42 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

What can be said about the two trapezoids in the diagram?

x+517y10x12

2

Step-by-step solution

We calculate the perimeter of the left trapezoid:

P=10+12+x+y P=10+12+x+y

P=22+x+y P=22+x+y

We calculate the perimeterof the right trapezoid:

P=x+5+17+y3+2y3 P=x+5+17+\frac{y}{3}+\frac{2y}{3}

P=x+22+2y+y3 P=x+22+\frac{2y+y}{3}

P=x+22+3y3 P=x+22+\frac{3y}{3}

P=x+22+y P=x+22+y

It can be seen that the two perimeters are identical to each other.

3

Final Answer

Their perimeters are identical.

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Perimeter Formula: Add all four sides of each trapezoid together
  • Technique: Combine like terms: 22+x+y=x+22+y 22+x+y = x+22+y
  • Check: Both trapezoids give identical perimeter expressions: 22+x+y 22+x+y

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Adding fractions incorrectly for the right trapezoid
    Don't add y/3 + 2y/3 as separate terms = wrong perimeter! This ignores that fractions with the same denominator combine directly. Always combine fractions first: y/3 + 2y/3 = 3y/3 = y.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Given the trapezoid:

999121212555AAABBBCCCDDDEEE

What is the area?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do we need to add fractions y/3 and 2y/3 in the right trapezoid?

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The right trapezoid shows two sides labeled y3 \frac{y}{3} and 2y3 \frac{2y}{3} . Since they have the same denominator, we add the numerators: y+2y3=3y3=y \frac{y + 2y}{3} = \frac{3y}{3} = y .

How can two different-looking trapezoids have the same perimeter?

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Even though the trapezoids have different shapes and orientations, their side lengths add up to the same algebraic expression: 22+x+y 22 + x + y . Perimeter only depends on side lengths, not shape!

What does it mean that the perimeters are identical?

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It means that for any values of x and y, both trapezoids will have exactly the same perimeter measurement. If x = 5 and y = 8, both perimeters equal 35 units.

Can I just look at the diagram to compare perimeters?

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No! Visual appearance can be misleading. You must calculate each perimeter algebraically by adding all four side lengths to make an accurate comparison.

Why isn't the answer that they have the same area?

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Having the same perimeter does not mean having the same area! These trapezoids have different shapes and orientations, so their areas will be different even though their perimeters match.

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