1. **State the problem:** We need to find the area of a polygon shaped like the number "9" on a grid where each square is 1 cm by 1 cm. The polygon has a square hole inside it, so we must subtract the hole's area from the total polygon area. 2. **Identify the approach:** To find the area of a polygon with a hole, calculate the area of the outer polygon and subtract the area of the hole. 3. **Calculate the outer polygon area:** Count the full 1 cm by 1 cm squares inside the polygon and estimate partial squares if any. Alternatively, use the grid to count squares covered by the polygon. 4. **Calculate the hole area:** The hole is a square from approximately (1,3) to (2,4), so its side length is $2 - 1 = 1$ cm. 5. **Calculate the hole area:** $$\text{Area}_{hole} = 1 \times 1 = 1 \text{ cm}^2$$ 6. **Calculate the total polygon area:** By counting the full and partial squares, the total polygon area is approximately 8 cm$^2$ (including the hole). 7. **Subtract the hole area:** $$\text{Area}_{shape} = \text{Area}_{polygon} - \text{Area}_{hole} = 8 - 1 = 7 \text{ cm}^2$$ 8. **Final answer:** The area of the green shape excluding the hole is **7 cm$^2$**.