GCSE Maths Practice: perimeter-and-area

Question 7 of 10

Trapezium area formula introduction.

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\( \begin{array}{l}\text{Which formula gives the area of a trapezium?}\end{array} \)

Choose one option:

Always identify parallel sides and perpendicular height. Apply formula carefully.

The area of a trapezium is calculated by taking the average of the two parallel sides (a and b), then multiplying by the perpendicular height. Formula: A = 1/2 × (a + b) × height. This ensures that both top and bottom sides contribute correctly. For example, a trapezium with sides 5 cm and 7 cm and height 4 cm: area = 0.5 × (5+7) × 4 = 24 cm². Understanding this is important for composite shapes and real-life applications like roofs, ramps, or design projects. Practice by varying side lengths and height to gain confidence.