Student Help Card
Lesson 2: Area of Trapezoids6.GR.1
Stuck? Start here. Read the steps, try the problem, then check your answer.
I can…
I can find the area of a trapezoid using the formula A = ½(b1 + b2) × h.
Key words
- Trapezoid — A four-sided shape with just one pair of parallel sides.
- Base 1 (b1) — One of the two parallel sides of a trapezoid.
- Base 2 (b2) — The other parallel side of a trapezoid.
- Height — The straight-up distance between the two parallel sides.
- Area — How much space is inside a flat shape.
Steps
- My trapezoid window has a top base of 4 feet, a bottom base of 8 feet, and a height of 5 feet.
- I write the formula: A = ½ × (b1 + b2) × h.
- I add the bases first: 4 + 8 = 12.
- I multiply by the height: 12 × 5 = 60.
- I take half: ½ × 60 = 30. So the area is 30 square feet.
Try it
A trapezoid has bases of 9 inches and 5 inches, and a height of 6 inches. What is its area?
Check your answer
42 sq in
A = 1/2 x (b1 + b2) x h = 1/2 x (9 + 5) x 6 = 1/2 x 14 x 6 = 42 square inches.
Sentence starter
I know ___ because ___.
Goal: I can explain my steps using the words trapezoid, base, height, and area.