Trapezoid Area Problem: Finding AB When Area = 77 and Height = 7

Question

Given the trapeze in front of you:

AAABBBCCCDDD12777

Given h=7, CD=12.

Since the area of the trapezoid ABCD is equal to 77.

Find the length of the side AB.

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Find AB
00:03 We'll use the formula for calculating trapezoid area
00:07 (Sum of bases(AB+DC) multiplied by height(H)) divided by 2
00:13 We'll substitute appropriate values and solve for AB
00:24 Divide by 7
00:33 Multiply by 2 to eliminate the fraction
00:41 Isolate AB
00:52 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

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

  • Step 1: Identify the given information
  • Step 2: Apply the formula for the area of a trapezoid
  • Step 3: Solve for the unknown side AB AB

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The problem gives us the height h=7 h = 7 , the base CD=12 CD = 12 , and the area A=77 A = 77 . We need to find the length of AB AB .
Step 2: We'll use the formula for the area of a trapezoid: A=12(b1+b2)×h A = \frac{1}{2} (b_1 + b_2) \times h which gives us: 77=12(AB+12)×7 77 = \frac{1}{2} (AB + 12) \times 7
Step 3: Simplifying the equation: 77=72(AB+12) 77 = \frac{7}{2} (AB + 12) Multiply both sides by 2 to clear the fraction: 154=7(AB+12) 154 = 7 (AB + 12) Divide both sides by 7: 22=AB+12 22 = AB + 12 Subtract 12 from both sides to solve for AB AB : AB=10 AB = 10

Therefore, the solution to the problem is AB=10 AB = 10 .

Answer

10