Question

The cross section of a canal is a trapezium with the base length of 3 m and the top length of 5 m. It is 2 m deep and 400 m long. Calculate the volume of water it holds.

Answer 1

Area of trapezoid

= `(1)/(2) xx ("Sum of parallel sides") xx "height"`

= `(1)/(2) xx (3 + 5) xx 2`
= 8m²
Volume of the canal
= Area of trapezoid x Length
= 8 x 400
= 3200m³
∴ The volume of water that it holds is 3200m³.