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Math Puzzle for March 28, 2025

by Jeff Smith On In Puzzles | Comments Disabled

Trapezius, trapeze, trapezium, trapunto, and the trapezoidal trap of travail

Alameda Post - A math diagram. Three trapezoids A1, A2, and A3 all sit on the X axis and share the sides in between them. They all have a width along the x axis labeled W for each trapezoid. The trapezoid closest to the origin begins at X = 12.The tops of the trapezoids are all created by a diagonal line going up and to the right. [1]

Three trapezoids each have a width of w.
The trapezoids extend horizontally from x = 12.
The trapezoids extend vertically, from the x-axis up to the line y = ⅓ x + 9
The ratio r of the A2 area to the A1 area is r = 1.375
Find the area of A3 i.e. the third trapezoid.

A3 = ______ square units

First correct answer to arrive at [email protected] wins a Tucker’s Ice Cream gift card.

Last week’s winner [2] was Marissa Mihin with t = 360 seconds.

Jeff Smith is a former Math teacher and a retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander. Reach him at [email protected] [3].