What is the perimeter of the trapezoid?

To determine the **perimeter of a trapezoid**, you need to know the lengths of all four sides. A trapezoid (or trapezium in some regions) is a quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides, typically referred to as the **bases**. The other two sides are called the **legs**. ### **Formula for Perimeter:** \[ \text{Perimeter} = \text{Base}_1 + \text{Base}_2 + \text{Leg}_1 + \text{Leg}_2 \] ### **Steps to Calculate:** 1. **Identify the Sides:** - **Base 1 (b₁):** One of the parallel sides. - **Base 2 (b₂):** The other parallel side. - **Leg 1 (l₁):** One of the non-parallel sides. - **Leg 2 (l₂):** The other non-parallel side. 2. **Measure Each Side:** - Use a ruler or measuring tool to find the length of each side if dealing with a physical trapezoid. - If working with a geometric problem, the lengths may be provided or calculable using other given information (like angles or heights). 3. **Add the Lengths Together:** \[ \text{Perimeter} = b₁ + b₂ + l₁ + l₂ \] ### **Example:** Suppose you have a trapezoid with the following side lengths: - Base 1 (b₁) = 8 cm - Base 2 (b₂) = 5 cm - Leg 1 (l₁) = 4 cm - Leg 2 (l₂) = 4 cm **Calculation:** \[ \text{Perimeter} = 8\, \text{cm} + 5\, \text{cm} + 4\, \text{cm} + 4\, \text{cm} = 21\, \text{cm} \] So, the perimeter of this trapezoid is **21 centimeters**. ### **Note:** If you have specific measurements or additional information about the trapezoid you're working with, feel free to provide them, and I can help you calculate the exact perimeter!