Question

find the missing measurement. round your answer to the nearest tenth.
? ft
6.2 ft
5 ft
? = 18 ft
8.6 ft
area = 27 ft²

Explanation:

Step1: Recall trapezoid area formula

The area of a trapezoid is $A = \frac{1}{2}(b_1 + b_2)h$, where $b_1, b_2$ are the two bases, and $h$ is the height.

Step2: Substitute known values

Let $b_1 = 8.6$ ft, $h = 5$ ft, $A = 27$ ft². Plug into the formula:
$27 = \frac{1}{2}(8.6 + b_2) \times 5$

Step3: Isolate the term with $b_2$

First, multiply both sides by 2:
$27 \times 2 = (8.6 + b_2) \times 5$
$54 = 5(8.6 + b_2)$
Then divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{54}{5} = 8.6 + b_2$
$10.8 = 8.6 + b_2$

Step4: Solve for $b_2$

Subtract 8.6 from both sides:
$b_2 = 10.8 - 8.6$
$b_2 = 2.2$

Answer:

2.2 ft