Explanation:
step 1. break up the shape into 2 triangles and one rectangle
step 2. A = area of triangle 1 (t1) + area of triangle 2 (t2) + area of the rectangle (r)
step 3. t1 = (1/2)bh where b is the base and h is the height. definition of the area of a triangle.
step 4. t1 = (1/2)(3)(2) = 3ft^2.
step 5. t2 = (1/2)(3)(3) = 4.5ft^2.
step 6. r = bh where b is the base and h is the height. definition of the area of a rectangle.
step 7. r = bh = (8)(4) = 32ft^2.
step 8. A = t1 + t2 + r = 3 + 4.5 + 32 = 39.5ft^2.