Question

A countertop is in the shape of a trapezoid. The lengths of the bases are 70 1/2 and 65 1/2 inches long. The area of the countertop is 1,224 square inches. Write and solve an equation to find height of the countertop.

Answer 1

We have:

$A=\frac{h(b_1+b_2)}{2}$

Given area $A$, height $h$, and bases $b_1$ and $b_2$.

Then, with $A=1224$, $b_1 = 70.5$, and $b_2 = 65.5$, we have:

$\frac{h(70.5+65.5)}{2} = 1224$

$68h = 1224$

$h=18$

So the height is $18$ inches.