Answer
The area is 54cm² To get the area i split the shape into two shape both having a length of 9in and a width of 3in. I calculate the area for one by using lxw=area and get 27 and times that by two to get 54.
When calculating the area for this object you get 54 and you add the ²symbol because its area is not one dimensioned it is two dimensioned or length times width not just length, so you use the ² symbol to show that.