The formula for the area of a trapezoid is A=1/2(b1+b2)h. The area of a trapezoid is 14 sq. in. when the height is 4 in. The area of a trapezoid is 35 sq. in. when the height is 10 in. The bases are the same in each case. Find the systems of equations describing these conditions and solve the system to determine these bases.
2007-05-20 23:02:54 · 1 answers · asked by DeepFriedBrain 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
You basically have two equations from this:
A = 14 when h = 4:
14 = (b1 + b2)4/2
14 = 2(b1+ b2)
7 = b1 + b2
A = 35 when h = 10:
35 = (b1 + b2)10/2
35 = 5(b1 + b2)
7 = b1 + b2
So your system then contains the same equation, which means that there isn't a single answer to this particular set of conditions. Your best bet is to say that b1 = 7 - b2, but beyond that, you can't nail down a unique answer for b1 or b2.
2007-05-21 07:09:32 · answer #1 · answered by igorotboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋