Use the image to answer the question.
An illustration shows a polygon where the top, right, and bottom sides are perpendicular to each other. A smaller rectangular piece is missing from the center of the left side of the polygon inward. The dimensions are as follows: the top side is 6, the right side is 8, and the bottom side is 6. The left side is divided into three parts. It shows a vertical width of 2 from the top
Solve the following problem using what you know about composite figures. What is the area of the figure?
To find the area of the figure, we need to calculate the area of the polygon and then subtract the area of the missing rectangle.
The top side of the polygon measures 6 units and the right side measures 8 units. Therefore, the area of the right triangle formed by these two sides is (6 * 8) / 2 = 24 square units.
The bottom side of the polygon also measures 6 units, so the area of the right triangle formed by the bottom side and the right side is (6 * 8) / 2 = 24 square units.
The missing rectangular piece on the left side has a vertical width of 2 units. Since we know the top side is 6 units, this means the area of the missing rectangle is 6 * 2 = 12 square units.
To find the total area of the figure, we add the areas of the two triangles and subtract the area of the missing rectangle: 24 + 24 - 12 = 36 square units.
Therefore, the area of the figure is 36 square units.