The formula of a trapezoid is A=1/2h(b1+b2)

Express b1 in terms of A,h,and b2

I did A=1/2hb1+1/2hb2
A=hb1/2 +hb2/2

A-hb2(2/h)=hb1/2(2/h)
A-b2=b1

I am not sure if this is correct? I was confused on how to do this. Any help or explanation is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

A = (b1+b2)h/2

(b1+b2)h = 2A
b1+b2 = 2A/h
b1 = 2A/h - b2

you forgot to multiply A by 2/h

Your approach is close, but there is a small mistake. Let's go through the steps again to express b1 in terms of A, h, and b2 correctly.

The formula for the area (A) of a trapezoid is A = (1/2)h(b1 + b2).

Step 1: Start with the original formula:
A = (1/2)h(b1 + b2)

Step 2: Multiply both sides of the equation by 2 to get rid of the fraction:
2A = h(b1 + b2)

Step 3: Distribute h to the terms inside the parentheses:
2A = hb1 + hb2

Step 4: Now, we can isolate b1. Subtract hb2 from both sides of the equation:
2A - hb2 = hb1

Step 5: Finally, divide both sides of the equation by h to solve for b1:
(2A - hb2) / h = b1

So, the correct expression for b1 in terms of A, h, and b2 is:
b1 = (2A - hb2) / h

Please note that your mistake in the calculation was when you divided by 2 and canceled out the 2/h from both sides. Make sure to apply algebraic operations correctly and keep track of all the terms and variables in the equation.

To express b1 in terms of A, h, and b2, we can start with the formula for the area of a trapezoid: A = (1/2)h(b1+b2).

First, let's rearrange this formula to solve for b1:

A = (1/2)h(b1+b2)
Multiply both sides of the equation by 2 to cancel out the (1/2):
2A = h(b1+b2)
Expand the equation:
2A = hb1 + hb2
Now, isolate b1:
2A - hb2 = hb1
Rearrange the equation to have b1 on the left side:
hb1 = 2A - hb2
Finally, divide both sides of the equation by h to solve for b1:
b1 = (2A - hb2)/h

So, the expression for b1 in terms of A, h, and b2 is b1 = (2A - hb2)/h.