The area of a trapezoid is 60 square feet. If the bases of the trapezoid are 8 feet and 12 feet, what is the height?

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Answer 1 · 2017-01-04T02:09:53

The height is 6 feet.

The formula for the area of a trapezoid is

#A=((b_1+b_2)h)/2#

where #b_1 and b_2# are the bases and #h# is the height.

In the problem, the following information is given:

#A=60 ft^2#, #b_1=8ft# , #b_2=12ft#

Substituting these values into the formula gives...

#60=((8+12)h)/2#

Multiply both sides by #2#.

#2 * 60=((8+12)h)/2 *2 #

#120=((20)h)/cancel2 * cancel2#

#120=20h#

Divide both sides by #20#

#120/20=(20h)/20#

#6=h#

#h=6ft#