Finding the area of a trapezoid

6.G.A.1

Find the area of right triangles, other triangles, special quadrilaterals, and polygons by composing into rectangles or decomposing into triangles and other shapes; apply these techniques in the context of solving real-world and mathematical

problems.

Do NOWMemory Box – Area formula

Area of a Trapezoid

Draw a diagonal line to break the trapezoid into two triangles.Find the area of each triangleAdd the area of each triangle together

See the diagram below.10 in

12 in

5 in

12 cm

10 cm 11 cm

9 cm

Example.

Find the area of the figure by drawing a diagonal and splitting it into two triangles.

12 cm

10 cm 11 cm

9 cm

click to reveal

The Area (A) of a trapezoid is also found by using the formula:

Note: The base & height always form a right angle!

10 in

12 in

5 in

Try These.

Find the area of the figures using the formula.

12 ft

9 ft

7 ft 8 ft

13

10

8 ft 7 86

click to revealclick to reveal

Closure Explain in words two ways to find the area of a

trapezoid. Be sure to use visuals to support your writing.