Trapezoids
As you move points A,B,C, and D what do you notice about segments k and i?
As you move the points what do you notice about segments i and k?
From the first image, segments i and k are parallel and are called the bases of the trapezoid. Segments h and j are called the legs.
Image 2
The area of a trapezoid can be found by multiplying the the average of the bases by the height.
(Remember the bases are the segments that are parallel.)
Area of Image 2
Using Image 2 find the area of that trapezoid.
The median, or mid-segment, is a line segment between the two bases.
The length of the median is the average of the two base lengths:
Image 3
Your turn to find different medians!
Use Image 3 for your work. Moving points A, B, C and D create 3 different trapezoids and find m for all of them. On a separate piece of paper find the 3 different medians and turn them in before class ends.