Find Area of Trapezoid ABCD | $(\sqrt 3+1):(3-\sqrt 3)$

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the area of trapezoid ABCD, where AD is parallel to BC. Participants explore the relationship between the areas of specific regions within the trapezoid and the triangle ABD, using a given area ratio and some geometric properties.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Post 1 introduces the trapezoid and states the area ratio of regions AEFD and EBCF as $(\sqrt 3+1):(3-\sqrt 3)$, along with the area of triangle ABD being $\sqrt 3$.
  • Post 2 questions the interpretation of the area ratio, suggesting it seems incorrect based on numerical approximations.
  • Post 4 challenges the ratio by asserting that area AEFD should be less than area EBCF, contradicting the ratio provided.
  • Post 8 provides a detailed mathematical approach to derive the area of trapezoid ABCD, using variables for the lengths and height, and arrives at an area of 2.
  • Post 9 acknowledges a change in the diagram and praises a participant's clever approach to simplify the calculations, suggesting that letting y = 1 reduces the complexity of the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the area ratio and its implications, with some questioning the validity of the initial claims. The discussion remains unresolved as different interpretations and methods are presented without consensus.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the clarity of the diagram and the assumptions made about the areas involved. The discussion also reflects uncertainty about the implications of the area ratio and the relationships between the variables.

Albert1
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A trapezoid ABCD ,AD // BC ,points E and F are midpoints of AB and CD respectively
(1)area AEFD :area EBCF =($\sqrt 3+1) : (3-\sqrt 3)$
(2) area of $\triangle ABD=\sqrt 3$
please find the area of ABCD
View attachment 1123
 

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Re: another trapezoid

Albert said:
(1)area AEFD :area EBCF =$\sqrt 3+1:3-\sqrt 3$
What does that mean? ~2.732 / ~1.268 ? Can't be...
 
Re: another trapezoid

Wilmer said:
What does that mean? ~2.732 / ~1.268 ? Can't be...
that means the ratio of two areas
 
Re: another trapezoid

Albert said:
that means the ratio of two areas

But area AEFD is clearly lesser than area EBCF ;
but your ratio makes it greater...?
 
Re: another trapezoid

Wilmer said:
But area AEFD is clearly lesser than area EBCF ;
but your ratio makes it greater...?
the diagram is not scaled
 
Re: another trapezoid

I give up!

Hope someone else understands...
 
Re: another trapezoid

the diagram has been changed now
 
Re: another trapezoid

Albert said:
A trapezoid ABCD ,AD // BC ,points E and F are midpoints of AB and CD respectively
(1)area AEFD :area EBCF =($\sqrt 3+1) : (3-\sqrt 3)$
(2) area of $\triangle ABD=\sqrt 3$
please find the area of ABCD
View attachment 1123
If $AD = x$, $BC = y$ and the perpendicular distance between $AD$ and $BC$ is $h$, then
area of the yellow region $AEFD$ is $\frac12h\bigl(\frac34x + \frac14y\bigr)$,
area of the cyan region $EBCF$ is $\frac12h\bigl(\frac14x + \frac34y\bigr)$,
area of the triangle $ABD$ is $\frac12xh$.​
Then (2) tells us that $\frac12xh =\sqrt 3$, and so $xh = 2\sqrt3$. From (1) we get $$\frac{\frac12h\bigl(\frac34x + \frac14y\bigr)}{\frac12h\bigl(\frac14x + \frac34y\bigr)} = \frac{\sqrt 3+1}{3-\sqrt 3},$$ from which $(3-\sqrt3)(3x+y) = (1+\sqrt3)(x+3y)$. Thus $(8-4\sqrt3)x = 4\sqrt3y$, from which $y = (2-\sqrt3)x/\sqrt3$, and $x+y = 2x/\sqrt3.$

The area of $ABCD$ is $\frac12(x+y)h = \frac12\,\frac2{\sqrt3}xh = \frac1{\sqrt3}(2\sqrt3) = 2.$
 
Last edited:
Re: another trapezoid

Just woke up to your new diagram, Albert; quite a difference;
about same as first showing a circle, then replacing it by an ellipse
:rolleyes:
Opalg said:
Thus $(8-4\sqrt3)x = 4\sqrt3y$, from which $y = (2-\sqrt3)x/\sqrt3$, and $x+y = 2x/\sqrt3.$
VERY clever, Opal; what a "nice" way to get "x + y" (Clapping)

Noticed that the "work" can be reduced quite a bit by letting y = 1.

Quickly leads to:
(3x + 1) / (x + 3) = (1 + SQRT(3)) / (3 - SQRT(3)),
then x = SQRT(3) / (2 - SQRT(3))
 
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