FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

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Prepare for the FTCE Professional Education Test. Study with comprehensive flashcards and engaging multiple choice questions, each crafted with hints and detailed explanations. Enhance your confidence for success!

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Which formula represents the area of a trapezoid?

(a + b)h
1/2 h(a + b)
bh
1/2(a - b)

The correct answer is: 1/2 h(a + b)

The formula that represents the area of a trapezoid is derived from considering the trapezoid’s two parallel sides, often referred to as the bases, and the height of the trapezoid, which is the perpendicular distance between these bases. The area of a trapezoid is found by averaging the lengths of the two bases and then multiplying by the height. The formula can be expressed as follows: Take the lengths of the two bases, "a" and "b," add them together to get (a + b), and then since it represents the average, you multiply by 1/2. Finally, by multiplying this average by the height "h," you find the area of the trapezoid. Thus, the complete formula becomes 1/2 * (a + b) * h, which corresponds with the correct answer option provided. This formula specifically caters to the unique shape of the trapezoid, where the bases are unequal in length, in contrast to other shapes such as rectangles or triangles, which have their own distinct area formulas.