Split the figure into three shapes: right triangle no.1, rectangle, and right triangle no.2.
rectangle:
A = l × w
A = 3 × 11
A = 33 cm²
right triangle no.1 (on the left of the rectangle):
find leg 1 first: 17 - 11 = 6
A = ab/2
A = 6 × 3/2
A = 9 cm²
right triangle no.2 (on the right on the rectangle):
A = ab/2
A = 3 × 1/2
A = 1.5 cm²
Add:
33 + 9 + 1.5 = 43.5 cm² (choice b)
