17. (20 points) As shown in the figure, a rectangle is divided into 6 squares of different sizes, among which two have equal areas (block $D$).
Given
that the area of the smallest square in the middle is 4 square centimeters. Find: What is the area of the rectangle in square centimeters?
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|}
\hline $\mathrm{A}$ & & $B$ \\
\hline & & \\
\hline $\mathrm{C}$ & $\mathrm{D}$ & $\mathrm{D}$ \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

【Solution】Solution:
According to the side length of $D$ + 2 = the side length of $C$, the side length of $C$ + 2 = the side length of $A$, the side length of $A$ + 2 = the side length of $B$, and the side length of $B$ + 2 = 2 times the side length of $D$,

By substituting the equal quantities, we get
The side length of $D$ + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 2 times the side length of $D$
The side length of $D$ = 8 cm
So, the side length of $C$ = 10 cm
The side length of $A$ = 12 cm
The length of the rectangle = 2 × 8 + 10 = 26 cm
The width of the rectangle = 10 + 12 = 22 cm
The area of the rectangle = 26 × 22 = 572 square cm
Answer: The area of the rectangle is 572 square cm.