Attached is a picture of the shape I would like the formula for to calculate the area. Can someone help please?

You need to draw a straight line down from th end of D down to be so that you have a rectangle and a triangle. Then find the area of the rectangle (lxw) then find the area of the triangle

Here's the formulas

Area of a Triangle (http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol1/area_triangle.html)

You need to draw a straight line down from th end of D down to be so that you have a rectangle and a triangle. Then find the area of the rectangle (lxw) then find the area of the triangle

Here's the formulas

Area of a Triangle (http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol1/area_triangle.html)

Thanks a lot for your help!

This appears to be a trapezoid. As such, you can apply 503's method or apply the formula for the area of a trapezoid: A = (1/2)(b1 + b2)

That is a trapezoid. The area of which is \frac{B+D}{2}\cdot A

I always take the long way around... it helps me to break down problems into smaller easier ones then add the solutions. But galactus' solution is probably easier :)

503, I did it like you did. I haven't had this stuff for a gazillion years and that was just what logically worked for me. Sometimes the "longer" way can be the easier way if that's what you understand. Since I have to understand everything and not just plug n chug, I'll have this way solved before I ever figure out why galactus' formula even works. :-) (Hey, I'm happy I even figured it out, longer way or not.)

Well, the general formula for the area of a trapezium is:

Area\, of \, Trapezium = \frac12 (Sum\,of\,parallel\,sides) \times (Perpendicular\,lenght\,to\, parallel\,sides)