The formula you provided is:

$A = \frac{1}{2}h(B + b)$

This formula is commonly used to calculate the area $A$ of a trapezoid (trapezium in some countries). In this context:

• $h$ is the height of the trapezoid (the perpendicular distance between the two parallel sides).
• $B$ and $b$ are the lengths of the two parallel sides of the trapezoid.

The formula can be understood as the product of the average of the two parallel sides and the height.

Simplified Explanation

To find the area of a trapezoid:

1. Add the lengths of the two parallel sides, $B$ and $b$.
2. Multiply the sum by the height $h$.
3. Finally, take half of the result (or divide by 2).

Would you like to see an example with numbers, or do you have any specific questions?

Related Questions:

1. How is the formula for the area of a trapezoid derived?
2. Can this formula be applied to any other shapes?
3. What are the units of area when using this formula?
4. How can we solve for one of the sides, $B$ or $b$, given the area and other dimensions?
5. What happens when $B = b$ in the formula? What shape does it represent?

Tip:

When using the formula for area, always ensure that all dimensions (height and side lengths) are in the same units to maintain consistency.