How do I find the area for a compound shape

To find the area of a compound shape, you must distinguish separate shapes from the compound shape. (Basically make smaller shapes that you recognize out of the big confusing shape like the red line.) Then use the sides to add or subtract to reveal your new shape's true value. (So the area of the top shape made by the red line would be 3x2)

Find the area of the other new shape's you made (the bottom rectangle, which would be 5x2) and add their areas together.

The sum of the two areas represents your two shapes coming back together as one.

So, if 3x2=6, 5x2=10,

then 10+6=16

The area of this example is 16