A regular trapezoid is shown in the picture attached.
We know that:
DC = minor base = 4
AB = major base = 7
AD = BC = lateral sides or legs = 5
Since the two legs have the same length, the trapezoid is isosceles and we can calculate AH by the formula:
AH = (AB - DC) ÷ 2
= (7 - 5) ÷ 2
= 2 ÷ 2
= 1
Now, we can apply the Pythagorean theorem in order to calculate DH:
DH = √(AD² - AH²)
= √(5² - 1²)
= √(25 - 1)
= √24
= 2√6
Last, we have all the information needed in order to calculate the area by the formula:
[tex]A = \frac{(AB + CD)DH}{2} [/tex]
A = (7 + 5) × 2√6 ÷ 2
= 12√6
The area of the regular trapezoid is 12√6 square units.
