Answer:
area = 192 cm^2
Explanation:
The area is made up of three 8-cm by 8-cm squares.
Area of a square = side^2
area = 3 * (8 cm)^2
area = 3 * 64 cm^2
area = 192 cm^2
Other method:
Think of a 16-cm by 16-cm square with an 8-cm by 8-cm square missing.
area = (16 cm)^2 - (8 cm)^2
area = 256 cm^2 - 64 cm^2
area = 192 cm^2
Either way, you get 192 cm^2.