To find the total area of the shape composed of the three rectangles, you simply need to add their individual areas together.
Given:
- Area of Rectangle 1 = 36 cm²
- Area of Rectangle 2 = 24 cm²
- Area of Rectangle 3 = 16 cm²
Now, adding these areas together:
Total Area = Area of Rectangle 1 + Area of Rectangle 2 + Area of Rectangle 3
Total Area = 36 cm² + 24 cm² + 16 cm²
Total Area = 76 cm²
Therefore, the total area of the shape is 76 cm².