Investigating Geometry with GeoGebra

Henrico County Public Schools

Area of a Trapezoid 3

READ the instruction below and INTERACT with the GeoGebra applet on the right.

  1. Move the blue points to change the size and shape of the trapezoid.

  2. Next, move the green point on the slider completely to the right. What shape is formed and how do you find its area?

  3. Repeat steps (1) and (2).

  4. How is the area of a trapezoid related to the area of the shaded figure?

  5. Using this information, what would be a formula for finding the area of a trapezoid?
Sorry, the GeoGebra Applet could not be started. Please make sure that Java 1.4.2 (or later) is installed and activated. (click here to install Java now)