1. **State the problem:** Find the area of the irregular L-shaped polygon with given side lengths: top side = 8 ft, left side = 3 ft, right vertical side = 5 ft, and bottom short horizontal side = 2 ft. 2. **Approach:** We can divide the L-shaped figure into two rectangles and find their areas separately, then add them. 3. **Divide the figure:** - Rectangle 1: height = 3 ft (left side), width = 2 ft (bottom short side) - Rectangle 2: height = 5 ft - 3 ft = 2 ft (difference between right vertical side and left side), width = 8 ft - 2 ft = 6 ft (difference between top side and bottom short side) 4. **Calculate areas:** - Area of Rectangle 1 = height \times width = $3 \times 2 = 6$ sq ft - Area of Rectangle 2 = height \times width = $2 \times 6 = 12$ sq ft 5. **Total area:** $$\text{Area} = 6 + 12 = 18 \text{ square feet}$$ 6. **Answer:** The area of the figure is 18 square feet.