Answer
$A$ = 100 in$^{2}$
Work Step by Step
Area of a Trapezoid: $A$ = $\frac{1}{2}$$h$($b$ + $B$)
Therefore:
$A$ = $\frac{1}{2}$(8 in)(9$\frac{1}{4}$ in + 15$\frac{3}{4}$ in)
*Convert to decimals
$A$ = (0.5)(8 in)(9.25 in + 15.75 in)
$A$ = (0.5)(8 in)(25 in)
$A$ = (4 in)(24 in)
$A$ = 100 in$^{2}$