There are two different methods for finding the area of this shape:

Method 1

Divide the shape into squares and rectangles, find their individual areas and then add them together.

Area = 16 + 16 + 48 = 80cm²

Method 2

Imagine the shape as a large rectangle with a section cut out.

Find the area of the large rectangle (12 × 8) and then subtract the part that has been cut out (4 × 4)

Area = (12 × 8) - (4 × 4) = 96 - 16 = 80cm²