Cut the figure into 2 pieces: the big rectangle at the top and the narrow rectangle at the bottom. Area is length x width. Start with the big rectangle. Take 8cm (your length) and multiply it by 6cm (your width). You get 48 cm. Now for the narrow rectangle. Take 12 cm (your length) and multiply it by 2cm (width) to get 24 cm. Add the two measurements up, 48cm + 24 cm and your answer is 72 cm.
