Question

The height of a trapezoid is 8 inches and its area is 96 inches squared. One base of the trapezoid is 6 inches longer than the other base. What are the lengths of the bases? Explain how you found your answer.

Answer 1

Let the length of one base = x.   Length of other = x + 6.

Area = (1/2)*(Sum of bases ) * height

96 = (1/2) *(x + x + 6) * 8

96 =  (2x + 6) * 4

96/4 = 2x + 6

24 = 2x + 6

2x + 6 = 24

2x = 24 - 6

2x = 18

x = 18/2

x = 9.

Length of bases are x, and x + 6.   9   and 9+6 = 15.

Lengths of bases are 9 and 15 inches.