Trapezoids: A Complete Guide
Definition: A trapezoid (also called a trapezium in some countries) is a quadrilateral that has exactly one pair of parallel sides. The parallel sides are called bases, and the non-parallel sides are called legs.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bases (\( b_1 \) and \( b_2 \)) | The two parallel sides of the trapezoid |
| Legs | The two non-parallel sides connecting the bases |
| Height (\( h \)) | The perpendicular distance between the two bases |
| Midsegment (\( m \)) | The segment connecting the midpoints of the two legs; it is parallel to both bases |
| Diagonal | A segment connecting two non-adjacent (opposite) vertices |
Interactive visualization — available in the full lesson