1. **State the problem:** We have a figure composed of a rectangle topped by a triangle. The rectangle has length 5 cm and width 3 cm. The triangle has side lengths 5 cm, 3 cm, and 3 cm. We need to find the perimeter of the entire figure. 2. **Understand the figure:** The rectangle's base is 5 cm and height is 3 cm. The triangle sits on top of the rectangle, sharing the 5 cm side as its base. 3. **Recall the perimeter formula:** The perimeter is the total length around the figure. For this composite figure, we add the lengths of all outer sides without double counting the shared side. 4. **Calculate the perimeter:** - Rectangle sides: two lengths of 5 cm and two widths of 3 cm. - Triangle sides: 5 cm (base), 3 cm, and 3 cm. Since the triangle shares the 5 cm base with the rectangle, we do not count it twice. 5. **Sum the outer edges:** - Bottom of rectangle: 5 cm - Two vertical sides of rectangle: 3 cm + 3 cm = 6 cm - Two non-shared sides of triangle: 3 cm + 3 cm = 6 cm 6. **Add these lengths:** $$5 + 6 + 6 = 17$$ 7. **Final answer:** The perimeter of the figure is **17 cm**. Therefore, the correct choice is **a. 17 cm**.