Question

what is the area of this figure?
write your answer using decimals, if necessary.

Explanation:

Step1: Find total height of figure

$5 + 3 + 4 = 12$ m

Step2: Find total base length of figure

$7 + 9 = 16$ m

Step3: Calculate area of large trapezoid

The figure can be treated as a trapezoid with bases $16$ m and $7$ m, height $12$ m. Area formula: $\frac{1}{2} \times (a + b) \times h$
$\frac{1}{2} \times (16 + 7) \times 12 = 138$ m²

Step4: Calculate area of cut-out rectangles

First cut-out: $7 \times (12 - 5) = 7 \times 7 = 49$ m²
Second cut-out: $4 \times 3 = 12$ m²
Third cut-out: $3 \times 4 = 12$ m²
Total cut-out area: $49 + 12 + 12 = 73$ m²

Step5: Subtract cut-outs from trapezoid area

$138 - 73 = 65$ m²

Answer:

65 square meters