By splitting the following figures into rectangles, find their areas (The measures are given in centimetres).

Here, the given figures can be further divided as, 

We know that, Area of the rectangle = Length × Breadth

(a) Here, the area of rectangle 1 = 4 cm × 3 cm = 12 sq. cm

Here, the area of rectangle 2 = 4 cm × 1 cm = 4 sq. cm

Here, the area of rectangle 3 = 2 cm × 3 cm = 6 sq. cm

Here, the area of rectangle 4 = 2 cm × 3 cm = 6 sq. cm

Now, add the areas of all four rectangles to get the area of the whole figure

= 12 sq. cm + 4 sq. cm + 6 sq. cm + 6 sq. cm = 28 sq. cm.

Hence, the total area of figure (a) is 28 sq. cm.

(b) Here, the area of rectangle 1 = 3 cm × 1 cm = 3 sq. cm

Here, the area of rectangle 2 = 3 cm × 1 cm = 3 sq. cm

Here, the area of rectangle 3 = 3 cm × 1 cm = 3 sq. cm

Now, add the areas of all three rectangles to get the area of the whole figure

 = 3 sq. cm + 3 sq. cm + 3 sq. cm = 9 sq. cm.

Hence, the total area of figure (b) is 9 sq. cm.