Geometry

Question

How do you figure square footage of an area that is 2 ft height at one end and 8ft height at the other end and top measures 24 ft and the bottom measures 32 ft? Is there a formula to be used for future calculations?

Answer

The general formula is that of a trapezoid, in this case A = b(h1+h2)/2 = 32*(2+8)/2 = 160 square feet.&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR>You probably will see the formula written as A = h(b1+b2)/2.&nbsp; However with your trapezoid, there is no constant height, rather a constant base (32 feet.)&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR><BR>Another approach is to realize that your trapezoid is the sum of a 32 foot by 2 foot rectangle = 64 square feet plus another triangle with base 32 feet and height of 6 = (8-2) feet.&nbsp; 1/2bh = 1/2*32*6 = 96 square feet.&nbsp; Sum them together to get 160 square feet.<BR><BR>Joe M.<BR>Forest Inventory and Analysis<BR> http://vrd.askvrd.org/services/answerschema.xml