How to Find the Area of a Trapezium with No Parallel Sides

Break down the trapezium into two triangles., Find the values for a{\displaystyle a}, b{\displaystyle b}, and c{\displaystyle c} for both triangles A and B where a{\displaystyle a}= the included angle of the sides a{\displaystyle a} and...

8 Steps 1 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Break down the trapezium into two triangles.

    Label your triangles as triangle A and triangle B.

    Look at the picture for help.(The image does not scale.) , (Example values are below their pictures) Triangle A: a{\displaystyle a}=70, b{\displaystyle b}=13, and c{\displaystyle c}=15.

    Triangle B: a{\displaystyle a}=91, b{\displaystyle b}=11, and c{\displaystyle c}=9. , Plug the values from the second step in the formula.

    Triangle A:
    A=bc/2(sin∗a)=(13)(15)/2(sin70)≈45.8101{\displaystyle A=bc/2(sin*a)=(13)(15)/2(sin70)\approx
    45.8101} Triangle B:
    A=bc/2(sin∗a)=(11)(9)/2(sin91)≈49.4901{\displaystyle A=bc/2(sin*a)=(11)(9)/2(sin91)\approx
    49.4901} , That is your final answer!
    45.8101+49.4901=95.7102.A≈95.7102{\displaystyle
    45.8101+49.4901=95.7102.A\approx
    95.7102}
  2. Step 2: Find the values for a{\displaystyle a}

  3. Step 3: b{\displaystyle b}

  4. Step 4: and c{\displaystyle c} for both triangles A and B where a{\displaystyle a}= the included angle of the sides a{\displaystyle a} and b{\displaystyle b}

  5. Step 5: b{\displaystyle b}= one of the two sides that you know

  6. Step 6: and c{\displaystyle c}= the other side that you know.

  7. Step 7: Use the formula A=bc/2(sin∗a){\displaystyle A=bc/2(sin*a)} to calculate the areas of the triangles.

  8. Step 8: Add the areas for the triangles A and B.

Detailed Guide

Label your triangles as triangle A and triangle B.

Look at the picture for help.(The image does not scale.) , (Example values are below their pictures) Triangle A: a{\displaystyle a}=70, b{\displaystyle b}=13, and c{\displaystyle c}=15.

Triangle B: a{\displaystyle a}=91, b{\displaystyle b}=11, and c{\displaystyle c}=9. , Plug the values from the second step in the formula.

Triangle A:
A=bc/2(sin∗a)=(13)(15)/2(sin70)≈45.8101{\displaystyle A=bc/2(sin*a)=(13)(15)/2(sin70)\approx
45.8101} Triangle B:
A=bc/2(sin∗a)=(11)(9)/2(sin91)≈49.4901{\displaystyle A=bc/2(sin*a)=(11)(9)/2(sin91)\approx
49.4901} , That is your final answer!
45.8101+49.4901=95.7102.A≈95.7102{\displaystyle
45.8101+49.4901=95.7102.A\approx
95.7102}

About the Author

C

Cynthia Long

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