Sol is building a planting bed in the shape of a trapezoid. The bed will be 9 in deep. The bases of the trapezoid are 2ft and 8 ft and the sides are both 5 ft long. How many cubic feet of topsoil is needed to fill the bed?

Question

Sol is building a planting bed in the shape of a trapezoid. The bed will be 9 in deep. The bases of the trapezoid are 2ft and 8 ft  and the sides are both 5 ft long. How many cubic feet of topsoil is needed to fill the bed?

amistre64 · Answer

area of a trap is (b+b)h/2  so times that by 9 after calculating for the height

amistre64 · Answer

and if course converting to inches.... or viceaversa

anonymous · Answer

ha right on... I am trying to work it out now... and see ...

anonymous · Answer

base and base is 2 and 8 ?

anonymous · Answer

and the height is the 9?

amistre64 · Answer

attachment

amistre64 · Answer

one thing to remember is that a 3-4-5 triangle is a rt trianlge;  and they love to use it....

amistre64 · Answer

5^2 = 3^2 + h^2

25 - 9 = h^2

16 = h^2 ;  h=4

anonymous · Answer

good grief

amistre64 · Answer

(2+8)4
------ = area = 20
    2

amistre64 · Answer

9 inches aint a foot; so convert it; 9/12 = 3/4

20(3/4) = 5(3) = 15 cubic feet

anonymous · Answer

so 15 cubic feet of top soil is needed... ok.. let me finish my problem and check it to yours.... thank you again!

amistre64 · Answer

youre welcome :)

anonymous · Answer

Alright... I get the same... but it would have been wrong... I didnt know to convert. Good beans~

amistre64 · Answer

you get a ruler .... :)

1 ft = 12 in

9in(1ft)
------ = (9/12) ft = (3/4)ft
  12 in

anonymous · Answer

I like how you show the work and where it all comes from... Very great on the clarification!!! :)

anonymous · Answer

yeah it totally made sense