what is the formula for the area of a trapezoid?

please include a diagram

Try this:

http://www.analyzemath.com/Geometry_calculators/trapezoid.html

The area of a trapezoid is given by the formula where

b1, b2 are the lengths of the two bases
a is the altitude of the trapezoid

Recall that the bases are the two parallel sides of the trapezoid. The altitude (or height) of a trapezoid is the perpendicular distance between the two bases.

This is equivalent to the altitude times the average length of the bases. Since the median of a trapezoid is also the average length of the two bases, the area is also the altitude times the median length.

Area as a compound shape

-from a math website

Google is your friend:

try "area of trapezoid"

this one even has a nice applet

http://www.mathopenref.com/trapezoidarea.html

The formula for finding the area of a trapezoid is:

Area = (Base 1 + Base 2) * Height / 2

To explain how to use this formula, let's begin by understanding the different parts of a trapezoid. A trapezoid is a quadrilateral shape with two parallel sides called bases. The height is the perpendicular distance between the two bases.

Here's a diagram to help visualize the trapezoid:

_________
/ \
/ \
/ \
/_____________\

In this diagram, the longer base is called "Base 1," and the shorter base is called "Base 2." The vertical line between the bases represents the height.

To find the area, you need to know the lengths of both bases and the height. Once you have those measurements, substitute the values into the formula:

Area = (Base 1 + Base 2) * Height / 2

By substituting the lengths of Base 1, Base 2, and the height into this formula, you will find the area of the trapezoid.