The perimeter of the trapezoid in the drawing is 34 cm. What is the length of the missing base?
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The perimeter of the trapezoid in the drawing is 34 cm. What is the length of the missing base?
To solve for the missing base of the trapezoid, follow these steps:
Since a side length cannot be negative, this trapezoid is impossible with these dimensions.
The correct choice is This trapeze is not possible.
This trapeze is not possible.
Given the trapezoid:
What is the area?
In geometry, length is always positive! A negative length like -2 cm has no physical meaning - you can't measure negative distance with a ruler.
An impossible shape means the given measurements cannot form that shape in real life. The sides don't add up correctly to create the required perimeter.
Always check your final answer for reasonableness! If you get negative lengths, zero lengths, or measurements that seem too large/small, the shape might be impossible.
Good thinking! Always double-check your addition: 14 + 10 + 12 = 36. Since 36 > 34, we need b = 34 - 36 = -2, confirming the shape is impossible.
Yes! Triangles with sides that don't satisfy the triangle inequality, or rectangles with negative width/height are also impossible. Always verify geometric constraints.
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