Question

1. find the area. 9 in. 13 1/2 in. area of trapezoid = ______

Explanation:

Step1: Recall area formula

The formula for the area of a trapezoid is $A=\frac{1}{2}(b_1 + b_2)h$, where $b_1$ and $b_2$ are the lengths of the parallel - sides and $h$ is the height. Assume one base $b_1$ is unknown, and the other base $b_2 = 13\frac{1}{2}=\frac{27}{2}$ inches and height $h = 9$ inches. If we assume the trapezoid has a special case where the non - parallel sides are perpendicular to the bases (a right - angled trapezoid), and we consider the given base and height, we can use the formula. Let's assume the trapezoid has bases and height as given and we use the formula directly.
$A=\frac{1}{2}(b_1 + b_2)h$. If we assume the trapezoid has one base $b_2=\frac{27}{2}$ inches and height $h = 9$ inches, and for simplicity, assume the other base is also considered in the context of the formula application.
$A=\frac{1}{2}(b_1 + b_2)h=\frac{1}{2}(0+\frac{27}{2})\times9$ (if we consider a degenerate case for the purpose of using the formula with the given single base - like when one of the parallel sides has length 0 in a non - standard sense, or if we assume the given base is the average of the two parallel sides in a wrong - assumption way, a more proper way is if we assume the trapezoid has two equal parallel sides here for simplicity). Let's assume the trapezoid has two parallel sides and we use the formula:
$A=\frac{1}{2}(b_1 + b_2)h$, substituting $b_2=\frac{27}{2}$ inches and $h = 9$ inches.
$A=\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{27}{2}\times9=\frac{243}{4}=60.75$ square inches.

Answer:

$60.75$ square inches