Trap the Zoid

Task Instructions

A trapezoid is a quadrilateral with 2 parallel sides

1. Draw this trapezoid on graph paper
2. Label the lengths of the parallel sides a and b, and the distance between sides a and b, h, the height
3. Measure a, b and h. Record the measurements of your trapezoid in the table and determine the sum of sides a and b and the area of your trapezoid
4. Draw at least 5 more trapezoids and record the measurements of a, b, h, a + b and the area in the table
5. Can you see a pattern in the data you have entered in your table? If not, draw some more trapezoids and record your results. Check for a pattern again
6. Using your pattern, explain how you could calculate the area of a trapezoid

Materials

• Graph Paper
• Pencils for drawing