Practice Set · Part 1
Determine the Area of Trapezoids
Pick up where we left off
Where we left off
Our goal: I can find the area of a trapezoid using the formula A = ½(b1 + b2) × h, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before.
The big idea: Area of a trapezoid = ½ × (base 1 + base 2) × height. We add the two bases first, then take half — and you can say why it is true, and where it would stop being true.
Model to copy — Watch me
- 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.
Start here
You did these with your group. Now do them on your own — the model above is yours to copy.
- 1
Same stepsFinish what the group started. Use the model above, step for step.
Try it together — then prove it: Now a smaller trapezoid: bases 3 cm and 5 cm, height 2 cm. First, what is 3 + 5? Yes, 8. Next, what is 8 × 2? Yes, 16. Now take half: ½ × 16 = 8, so the area is 8 square centimeters. Now prove it: say why that move had to work at all — not just that it did.Show your work - 2
Warm restartWhat is the area of a triangle with base 7 m and height 4 m?
- A14 square m
- B28 square m
- C11 square m
- D14 m
How do you know?
- 3
Warm restartWhat is the area of a triangle with base 12 cm and height 5 cm?
- A30 square cm
- B60 square cm
- C17 square cm
- D30 cm
How do you know?
- 4
Warm restartA triangle has an area of 36 square inches and a base of 9 inches. What is its height?
- A8 inches
- B4 inches
- C324 inches
- D27 inches
How do you know?
Practice Set · Part 2
Determine the Area of Trapezoids
Keep going
You answered these out loud. Now write them.
Answer, then say how you know — the reason is the part that counts.
- 5
Think it throughWhat is the area of the trapezoidal driveway?
- A240 sq ft
- B480 sq ft
- C120 sq ft
- D47 sq ft
Why is that the answer?
- 6
Think it throughHow many bags of concrete does the builder need?
- A40
- B24
- C240
- D6
How do you know? Give a second reason as well.
- 7
Think it throughWhy add the two parallel edges and then take half?
- ABecause the average of the two bases acts like one rectangle's width
- BBecause trapezoids are half of rectangles
- CBecause 20 + 12 = 32 is easier
- DBecause the height must be halved
Explain your thinking. What would have to change for a different choice to be right?
- 8
Back to the modelIf you copied this trapezoid, flipped it, and placed it next to the original, what shape would you get? How does this help you find the area?
Practice Set · Part 3
Determine the Area of Trapezoids
Words and reasoning
Word bank · Banco de palabras
Use the words
Fill each blank with a word from the bank.
- The space inside a trapezoid, found with A = ½(b₁ + b₂)h, is the ___.
- A quadrilateral with exactly one pair of parallel sides is a ___.
- Two sides that stay the same distance apart and never meet are ___.
- One of the two parallel sides of a trapezoid is ___.
Explain the thinking
- 9
Find the mistakeAnother student made this exact mistake in this lesson. Explain why it is wrong, then write what they should have done.
The mistake: A common mistake in Area of Trapezoids is forgetting the ½ in A = ½ × (b1 + b2) × h. - 10
Say moreOn the grid you copied the trapezoid (bases 8 and 4, height 5), flipped it, and joined it to the original. What shape formed, and how does that explain the 1/2 in the formula?
- 11
Write your ownWrite your own problem about this situation, then solve it and show the answer. The situation: The architecture firm's trapezoidal window has a top edge of 4 feet, a bottom edge of 8 feet, and a height of 5 feet.
Show your work
Practice Set · Part 4
Determine the Area of Trapezoids
Show what you know
Last check
These two come from Lesson 5.2. If they are shaky, that is the lesson to revisit — not this one.
- 12
Show what you knowExplain your thinking — A trapezoid has bases of 9 inches and 5 inches, and a height of 6 inches. What is its area?
- A42 sq in
- B84 sq in
- C27 sq in
- D42 in
Explain your choice.
- 13
From Lesson 5.2Explain your thinking — A triangle has a base of 11 inches and a height of 8 inches. What is its area?
- A44 sq in
- B88 sq in
- C19 sq in
- D44 in
How do you know?
- 14
From Lesson 5.2Why round up instead of down?
- ABecause 2 cans cover only 100 sq ft, which is not enough for 140
- BBecause paint is always sold in threes
- CBecause 2.8 rounds to 3 by the usual rule
- DBecause the wall might be bigger
How do you know?
Be honest — this tells your teacher what to do next
| I can… | Not yet | Getting there | Got it |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can find the area of a trapezoid using the formula A = ½(b1 + b2) × h, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before. | |||
| I can explain why it works: Area of a trapezoid = ½ × (base 1 + base 2) × height. We add the two bases first, then take half… | |||
| I can justify my answer to a skeptic and connect it to a second strategy or representation. |
One question I want to ask my group next time