Question

Trapezoid QRST has two right angles. A 5in. altitude can be drawn dividing QRST into a rectangle and an isosceles right triangle. The longer side of the rectangle measures 9 in. What is the area of the trapezoid?

Answer 1

The area of the trapezoid is 57.5 square inches.

If you draw out the description, you will see that your trapezoid can be divided into a rectangle that is 9 x 5 and an isosceles right triangle with a base of 5 and height of 5. 

Just find the areas of both and add them together.

Rectangle:
5 x 9 = 45

Triangle:
0.5 x 5 x 5 = 12.5

45 + 12.5 = 57.5