Trapezoid

A trapezoid is a quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides. The parallel sides are called the bases of the trapezoid, while the non-parallel sides are called the legs.

Properties of a Trapezoid

Parallel Sides: A trapezoid has exactly one pair of parallel sides.
Base Angles: The angles formed by each base and a leg are called the base angles. Each base has two base angles.
Height: The perpendicular distance between the two bases is called the height of the trapezoid.
Median: The segment that joins the midpoints of the non-parallel sides of a trapezoid is called the median.
Area: The area of a trapezoid can be calculated using the formula:
Area = (1/2) * height * (sum of bases)

Types of Trapezoids

Trapezoids can be categorized into different types based on their properties:

Isosceles Trapezoid: An isosceles trapezoid has two non-parallel sides of equal length, making the base angles congruent.
Right Trapezoid: A right trapezoid has one right angle among its four angles.
Scalene Trapezoid: A trapezoid with no sides of equal length is called a scalene trapezoid.

Practice Questions

Find the area of a trapezoid with bases of length 8 cm and 12 cm, and a height of 5 cm.
If the base angles of a trapezoid are 45° each, what type of trapezoid is it?
Draw an isosceles trapezoid with a base length of 10 units and a leg length of 6 units.

◂Math Worksheets and Study Guides Fourth Grade. Patterns

The resources above cover the following skills:

Algebra (NCTM)

Understand patterns, relations, and functions.

Describe, extend, and make generalizations about geometric and numeric patterns.

Represent and analyze patterns and functions, using words, tables, and graphs.

Use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative relationships.

Model problem situations with objects and use representations such as graphs, tables, and equations to draw conclusions.

Analyze change in various contexts.

Identify and describe situations with constant or varying rates of change and compare them.

Connections to the Grade 4 Focal Points (NCTM)

Algebra: Students continue identifying, describing, and extending numeric patterns involving all operations and nonnumeric growing or repeating patterns. Through these experiences, they develop an understanding of the use of a rule to describe a sequence of numbers or objects.