In two similar triangles, like the one we see above, the ratio of their areas is the square of the ratio of their sides.
Based on the graph, we see that BD is 3 times larger than BA. This means that the area of DBE will be 3² times larger, or 9 times larger, than the area of ABC.
Area of ABC = 3 square units
Area of DBE = 3 * 9 = 27 square units
Answer is A.