½(a+b)h: Error Analysis & Misconceptions

Mathematics
Year 9
12 questions
~24 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

A worksheet focusing on understanding and applying the formula for the area of a trapezium, ½(a+b)h, with an emphasis on common errors and misconceptions.

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½(a+b)h: Error Analysis & Misconceptions

Subject: MathematicsGrade: Year 9
Name:
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9
A

Introduction

Read the following explanation carefully.
1.
The area of a trapezium is given by the formula ½(a + b)h, where a and b are the lengths of the parallel sides and h is the height. Understanding how to correctly apply this formula is essential to avoid common mistakes.
[2 marks]
B

Fluency & Practice

Answer all questions. Show your working in the grid spaces provided.
1.
Calculate the area of a trapezium with parallel sides 8 cm and 12 cm, and height 5 cm.
[2 marks]
2.
A trapezium has bases of 10 m and 15 m, and a height of 6 m. Find its area.
[2 marks]
3.
If the area of a trapezium is 84 cm², and the parallel sides are 7 cm and 11 cm, what is the height?
[2 marks]
4.
Construct a trapezium with bases 9 cm and 14 cm, and a height of 4 cm. Calculate its area.
[3 marks]
C

Problem Solving & Reasoning

Answer these multi-step questions, providing explanations.
1.
A garden has a trapezium-shaped pond with bases measuring 6 m and 10 m, and a height of 3 m. A gardener wants to surround the pond with a fence. Calculate the area of the pond and explain why understanding the formula ½(a+b)h helps in planning the fencing.
[4 marks]
2.
A roofing contractor needs to calculate the area of a trapezoidal section of roof. The parallel sides are 20 m and 25 m, and the height is 8 m. Show your work and state any common mistakes students might make.
[3 marks]
D

Real-world Applications

Solve these context-based problems.
1.
A trapezium-shaped field has bases of 50 m and 70 m, with a height of 30 m. How much area does the field cover? Why might accurate calculation be important for farming?
[4 marks]
E

Challenge & Extension

Attempt these more difficult problems to extend your understanding.
1.
Design a trapezium with bases in the ratio 3:5 and height 12 cm. If the total area must be 144 cm², find the lengths of the bases.
[4 marks]
2.
A trapezium's area is incorrectly calculated as (a + b) × h. Explain the mistake and correct it.
[3 marks]
F

Mixed Review & Error Analysis

Identify the mistake in each scenario and correct it.
1.
A student calculates the area of a trapezium with bases 10 cm and 14 cm, height 8 cm, using the formula ½(10 + 14)×8, but gets 48 cm². Find the mistake and provide the correct answer.
[2 marks]
2.
Another student uses the formula (a + b) × h instead of ½(a + b)h. Calculate the area of a trapezium with bases 7 m and 13 m, height 4 m, using both formulas. Which is correct?
[3 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet