The shorter base of an isosceles trapezoid is 8 units, the longer base is 20 units, and each non-parallel side is 10 units. What is the altitude of the trapezoid?

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Answer 1 · 2018-05-22T06:55:07

Area of trapezoid #color(green )(A_p = 112# sq units

Area of trapezoid #A_t = (1/2) (a + b) h#

Given : # a = 20, b = 8#, slant side #s = 10#

#h = sqrt(s^2 - ((a-b)/2)^2)#, since it’s an isosceles trapezoid and applying Pythagoras theorem.

#h = sqrt(10^2 - ((20-8)/2)^2)#

#h = sqrt(100 - 36) = 8# units

#Area # #A_p = (1/2) * (20 + 8) * 8# sq units

Area of trapezoid #color(green)(A_p = 112# sq units