In the diagram, line segments meet at $90^{\circ}$ as shown. If the short line segments are each $3 \mathrm{~cm}$ long, what is the area of the shape?
(A) 30
(D) 45
(B) 36
(E) 54
(C) 40

![](https://cdn.mathpix.com/cropped/2024_04_20_46ead6524a8d61e21c51g-100.jpg?height=250&width=428&top_left_y=2301&top_left_x=1312)

Part B (6 credits each)
In the diagram, line segments meet at $90^{\circ}$ as shown. If the short line segments are each $3 \mathrm{~cm}$ long, what is the area of the shape?
(A) 30
(B) 36
(C) 40
(D) 45
(E) 54

![](https://cdn.mathpix.com/cropped/2024_04_20_748fdafcde2a47412608g-440.jpg?height=276&width=509&top_left_y=1095&top_left_x=1361)

Solution

Each of the four squares are identical and each has an area of $3 \times 3$ or $9 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}$.

The total area is thus $4 \times 9$ or $36 \mathrm{~cm}^{2}$.

![](https://cdn.mathpix.com/cropped/2024_04_20_748fdafcde2a47412608g-440.jpg?height=284&width=505&top_left_y=1414&top_left_x=1363)

ANSWER: (B)

## Part B