How to Find the Area of a Trapezoid Using Triangles and a Rectangle

In this math video we will learn how to find the area of a trapezoid using triangles and a rectangle. We will use a four part constructed response math test question to model how to find the area of a trapezoid by decomposing it into a rectangle and two triangles. We will first use given measurements to identify the lengths of missing parts of the trapezoid. We will then find the area of a triangle using A=0.5bh. We will identify the base of the triangle and understand the height is perpendicular to the base. We will then find the area of a trapezoid by decomposing the shape into a rectangle and a triangle. We will then find the area of the given trapezoid by finding the sum of both triangles and the rectangle. An exemplar solution is modeled and explained.