Geometry
Median of a trapezoid
The width exactly halfway between the two parallel sides. The area is the median multiplied by the height.
The Formula
m = (a + b) / 2
The width exactly halfway between the two parallel sides. The area is the median multiplied by the height.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| m | Median | linear units | Width of the trapezoid at its midpoint. |
| a | First parallel side | linear units | One base. |
| b | Second parallel side | linear units | The other base. |
What Each Symbol Means
mlinear units
Median
Width of the trapezoid at its midpoint.
alinear units
First parallel side
One base.
blinear units
Second parallel side
The other base.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate the area of a trapezoid page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate The Area Of A Trapezoid, filed under Math. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.