To find the area of the given shape, we need to break it down into simpler geometric shapes, such as rectangles, triangles, and possibly trapezoids.

Steps:

1. Identify the Shapes:

   • The large right triangle.
   • Smaller triangles and rectangles formed by the cuts.

2. Calculate Each Shape's Area:

   • Large Triangle: Use the base and height measurements directly.
   • Rectangles: Use length × width.
   • Small Triangles: Use $\frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}$.

Calculation:

1. Large Triangle Area:

   • Base = $14 \text{ cm}$ (total vertical height).
   • Height = $8 \text{ cm}$ (horizontal width from 3 cm + 1.5 cm + 3 cm + 0.5 cm).

   $\text{Area}_{\text{triangle}} = \frac{1}{2} \times 14 \times 8 = 56 \, \text{cm}^2$

2. Other areas subtracted from the triangle:

   • Top triangle (base = 3 cm, height = 4 cm): $\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 3 \times 4 = 6 \, \text{cm}^2$

   • Middle rectangle (base = 8 cm, height = 5 cm): $\text{Area} = 8 \times 5 = 40 \, \text{cm}^2$

   • Bottom small rectangle (1.5 cm by 1.5 cm): $\text{Area} = 1.5 \times 1.5 = 2.25 \, \text{cm}^2$

   • Right triangle subtracted (3 cm height, 1.5 cm width): $\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 1.5 \times 3 = 2.25 \, \text{cm}^2$

3. Total subtracted areas:

   Sum of areas to subtract: $6 + 40 + 2.25 + 2.25 = 50.5 \, \text{cm}^2$

4. Net Area of the figure: $\text{Net Area} = 56 - 50.5 = 5.5 \, \text{cm}^2$

Would you like further details, or do you have any questions?

Follow-Up Questions:

1. How do you calculate the area of composite shapes?
2. What are the applications of area calculations in real life?
3. Can the figure be decomposed differently for more straightforward calculations?
4. How does changing a single measurement affect the total area?
5. What is the importance of understanding geometric properties for area calculations?

Tip: Always double-check each part of a composite figure to ensure accurate area calculations.