解$:(1)$∵四边形$ABCD$是平行四边形
∴$∠DAB + ∠CBA = 180°$
∵$AP $和$BP $分别平分$∠DAB$和$∠CBA$
∴$∠PAB + ∠PBA = \frac {1}{2}(∠DAB + ∠CBA) = 90°$
∴$∠APB = 90°$
$(2)$∵$∠APB = 90°$
∴$S_{△APB} =\frac {1}{2} × AP × BP$
∵$AD = 2.5$
∴$AB = 5$
∵$AP = 4$
∴$BP = 3$
∴$S_{△APB} = \frac {1}{2}× 4 × 3 = 6$
答$: △APB$的面积为$6。$