What is the area of a trapezoid with parallel sides of 10' and 8', and a height of 15'?

To find the area of a trapezoid, the formula used is:

Area = (1/2) × (Base1 + Base2) × Height

In this scenario, the trapezoid has two parallel sides—Base1 measuring 10 feet and Base2 measuring 8 feet—along with a height of 15 feet.

Substituting these values into the formula gives:

Area = (1/2) × (10 ft + 8 ft) × 15 ft

Area = (1/2) × 18 ft × 15 ft

Area = 9 ft × 15 ft

Area = 135 ft²

Therefore, the area of the trapezoid is indeed 135 square feet, making it the correct answer. This calculation illustrates how the formula works by considering the average length of the two bases and multiplying that by the height, reflecting the trapezoid's overall dimensions accurately.