Practice calculating the area of composite figures by breaking them down into smaller rectangles using the provided side lengths.

To solve the problem of finding the area of each irregular shape, we will break down each shape into simpler geometric figures (such as rectangles) and calculate their areas step by step. Let's go through each shape one by one.

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Shape 1:

The first shape is a combination of two rectangles.

#### Step 1: Identify the dimensions of the rectangles.
- The top rectangle has dimensions \(2 \, \text{cm} \times 6 \, \text{cm}\).
- The bottom rectangle has dimensions \(5 \, \text{cm} \times 1 \, \text{cm}\).

#### Step 2: Calculate the area of each rectangle.
- Area of the top rectangle:
\[
\text{Area}_{\text{top}} = 2 \, \text{cm} \times 6 \, \text{cm} = 12 \, \text{sq cm}
\]
- Area of the bottom rectangle:
\[
\text{Area}_{\text{bottom}} = 5 \, \text{cm} \times 1 \, \text{cm} = 5 \, \text{sq cm}
\]

#### Step 3: Add the areas of the two rectangles.
\[
\text{Total Area} = \text{Area}_{\text{top}} + \text{Area}_{\text{bottom}} = 12 \, \text{sq cm} + 5 \, \text{sq cm} = 17 \, \text{sq cm}
\]

Answer for Shape 1:
\[
\boxed{17}
\]

---

Shape 2:

The second shape is also a combination of two rectangles.

#### Step 1: Identify the dimensions of the rectangles.
- The left rectangle has dimensions \(7 \, \text{cm} \times 2 \, \text{cm}\).
- The right rectangle has dimensions \(2 \, \text{cm} \times 2 \, \text{cm}\).

#### Step 2: Calculate the area of each rectangle.
- Area of the left rectangle:
\[
\text{Area}_{\text{left}} = 7 \, \text{cm} \times 2 \, \text{cm} = 14 \, \text{sq cm}
\]
- Area of the right rectangle:
\[
\text{Area}_{\text{right}} = 2 \, \text{cm} \times 2 \, \text{cm} = 4 \, \text{sq cm}
\]

#### Step 3: Add the areas of the two rectangles.
\[
\text{Total Area} = \text{Area}_{\text{left}} + \text{Area}_{\text{right}} = 14 \, \text{sq cm} + 4 \, \text{sq cm} = 18 \, \text{sq cm}
\]

Answer for Shape 2:
\[
\boxed{18}
\]

---

Shape 3:

The third shape is an "L"-shaped figure. We can break it into two rectangles.

#### Step 1: Identify the dimensions of the rectangles.
- The larger rectangle has dimensions \(5 \, \text{in} \times 5 \, \text{in}\).
- The smaller rectangle that is missing (forming the "L" shape) has dimensions \(2 \, \text{in} \times 3 \, \text{in}\).

#### Step 2: Calculate the area of the larger rectangle.
\[
\text{Area}_{\text{larger}} = 5 \, \text{in} \times 5 \, \text{in} = 25 \, \text{sq in}
\]

#### Step 3: Calculate the area of the smaller rectangle.
\[
\text{Area}_{\text{smaller}} = 2 \, \text{in} \times 3 \, \text{in} = 6 \, \text{sq in}
\]

#### Step 4: Subtract the area of the smaller rectangle from the area of the larger rectangle.
\[
\text{Total Area} = \text{Area}_{\text{larger}} - \text{Area}_{\text{smaller}} = 25 \, \text{sq in} - 6 \, \text{sq in} = 19 \, \text{sq in}
\]

Answer for Shape 3:
\[
\boxed{19}
\]

---

Shape 4:

The fourth shape is another "L"-shaped figure. We can break it into two rectangles.

#### Step 1: Identify the dimensions of the rectangles.
- The larger rectangle has dimensions \(8 \, \text{in} \times 3 \, \text{in}\).
- The smaller rectangle that is missing (forming the "L" shape) has dimensions \(2 \, \text{in} \times 3 \, \text{in}\).

#### Step 2: Calculate the area of the larger rectangle.
\[
\text{Area}_{\text{larger}} = 8 \, \text{in} \times 3 \, \text{in} = 24 \, \text{sq in}
\]

#### Step 3: Calculate the area of the smaller rectangle.
\[
\text{Area}_{\text{smaller}} = 2 \, \text{in} \times 3 \, \text{in} = 6 \, \text{sq in}
\]

#### Step 4: Subtract the area of the smaller rectangle from the area of the larger rectangle.
\[
\text{Total Area} = \text{Area}_{\text{larger}} - \text{Area}_{\text{smaller}} = 24 \, \text{sq in} - 6 \, \text{sq in} = 18 \, \text{sq in}
\]

Answer for Shape 4:
\[
\boxed{18}
\]

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Final Answers:

1. Shape 1: \(\boxed{17}\)
2. Shape 2: \(\boxed{18}\)
3. Shape 3: \(\boxed{19}\)
4. Shape 4: \(\boxed{18}\)