To find the area of the trapezoid, we can use the formula for the area of a trapezoid:

$\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times (b_1 + b_2) \times h$

Where:

• $b_1$ and $b_2$ are the lengths of the two parallel sides (the bases of the trapezoid),
• $h$ is the height (the perpendicular distance between the bases).

From the image:

• $b_1 = 8.5 \, \text{in}$,
• $b_2 = 5 \, \text{in}$,
• $h = 3.6 \, \text{in}$.

Now, let's calculate the area.

$\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times (8.5 + 5) \times 3.6$

Let me compute this.The area of the trapezoid is $24.3$ square inches.

Would you like any further details or clarifications on this calculation?

Here are 5 related questions for further practice:

1. How would the area change if the height were doubled?
2. What is the perimeter of this trapezoid?
3. Can you find the area of a triangle with the same base and height as the trapezoid?
4. What if one of the bases were halved? How would that affect the area?
5. Can you express the area formula for a trapezoid in terms of its diagonals?

Tip: The area of a trapezoid is always half of the product of its height and the sum of its two bases, so make sure to correctly identify the parallel sides!