trapezoids

[hmschoolkid]

if I have the height and the area am I able to know the length of a trapezoids bases? The formula for area is:
A=1/2h(b1+b2)
so do I just figure out how to reverse it? [/code]

 

[jonboy]

Yes. What you need to figure out is how to get b₁ or b₂ = "something",

Just like any normal equation just longer.

 

[jwpaine]

A=1/2h(b1+b2)

you know height and area

so \(\displaystyle \L(b_1+b_2) = \frac{a}{\frac{1}{2}h}\)

You now have 1 equation with two unknowns... so you can't solve for both b1 and b2 without more info.