1. **State the problem:** We need to find the height $h$ of a trapezoid given its area and the lengths of the two bases. 2. **Recall the formula for the area of a trapezoid:** $$\text{Area} = \frac{(b_1 + b_2)}{2} \times h$$ where $b_1$ and $b_2$ are the lengths of the two parallel bases, and $h$ is the height. 3. **Identify the known values:** - Area $= 700$ square inches - Top base $b_1 = 15$ inches - Bottom base $b_2 = 25$ inches 4. **Substitute the known values into the formula:** $$700 = \frac{(15 + 25)}{2} \times h$$ 5. **Simplify the expression inside the parentheses:** $$700 = \frac{40}{2} \times h$$ 6. **Simplify the fraction:** $$700 = 20 \times h$$ 7. **Solve for $h$ by dividing both sides by 20:** $$h = \frac{700}{20}$$ 8. **Show the cancellation step:** $$h = \frac{\cancel{700}}{\cancel{20}} = 35$$ 9. **Final answer:** The height $h$ of the trapezoid is **35 inches**.