Question

Estimate the area of Alberta in square miles. Show your reasoning

Answer 1

Answer:  About $278,250\ mi^2$

Step-by-step explanation:

The missing figure is attached.

Notice in the first picture that Alberta has a complex shape.

You can calculate the area of a complex shape by decomposing it into polygons whose areas can be calculated easily.

Observe the second picture. Notice that it can be descompose into two polygons: A trapezoid and a rectangle.

The area of the trapezoid  can be calcualted with the formula:

$A_t=\frac{h}{2}(B+b)$

Where "h" is the height, "B" is the long base and "b" is short base.

And the area of the rectangle can be found with the formula:

 $A_r=lw$

Wkere "l" is the lenght and "w" is the width.

Then, the apprximate area of Alberta is:

$A=\frac{h}{2}(B+b)+lw$

Substituting vallues, you get:

$A=(\frac{(410\ mi-180\ mi)}{2})(760\ mi+470\ mi)+(180\ mi)(760\ im)\\\\A=141,450\ mi^2+136,800\ mi^2\\\\A=278,250\ mi^2$

Therefore, the area of of Alberta is about $278,250\ mi^2$.