Question

The area of a trapezoid is 69.6 in2 and its altitude is 8.7 in. Find the perimeter of the trapezoid if the sum of its legs is equal to the sum of its bases.

Answer 1

To answer this, you will find the sum of the bases by using the area of a trapezoid formula:

A = 1/2 x h x (b1 + b2) - You will represent the area of the 2 bases as x,                                                  because it says the sum of the bases so this can be 
                                     written as 1 term, x
69.6 = 1/2 x 8.7 x (x);  solve for x
69.6 = 4.35x; divide both sides by 4.35
x = 16 in.

If 16 inches is the sum of the 2 bases and the sum of the legs, than you will double this answer to find the perimeter.

16 in x 2 = 32 inches

The perimeter is 32 inches.