1. What is an Isosceles Trapezoid?

An isosceles trapezoid is a quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides (bases) and non-parallel sides (legs) that are equal in length. It has line symmetry along the perpendicular bisector of its bases.

2. How to Calculate Perimeter

The perimeter of an isosceles trapezoid is calculated using the formula:

Where:

• \( \text{leg} \) — Length of the non-parallel sides (equal in length)
• \( \text{base1} \) — Length of the first parallel side
• \( \text{base2} \) — Length of the second parallel side

3. Importance of Perimeter Calculation

Details: Calculating perimeter is essential in construction, land surveying, and various engineering applications where precise measurements of boundaries are required.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all measurements in meters. Ensure all values are positive numbers. The calculator will sum twice the leg length with both base lengths to give the total perimeter.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between a trapezoid and isosceles trapezoid?
A: An isosceles trapezoid has equal non-parallel sides (legs) and equal base angles, while a general trapezoid doesn't necessarily have these properties.

Q2: Can I use this for right trapezoids?
A: No, this calculator is specifically for isosceles trapezoids. Right trapezoids have different properties.

Q3: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses meters, but you can use any unit as long as all measurements are in the same unit.

Q4: How precise should my measurements be?
A: For most practical purposes, measurements to 2 decimal places (centimeter precision) are sufficient.

Q5: Can this calculate area as well?
A: No, this calculator only computes perimeter. Area calculation requires different formulas.