start by breaking the figure into simpler figures
Triangle 1
Triangle 2
Square
Then calculate the area for each one
Square: 2 cm times 2 cm = 4 cm
Triangle: 2 cm times 1 cm = 2 cm divided by 2 = 0.5 cm
Triangle: 2 cm times 1 cm = 2 cm divided by 2 = 0.5 cm
Add up all the values and get 5 cm squared