Question

If I have a random shape with points A = (1,0) B = (3, -5) C = (1, -8) D = (-5, -8) E = (-3, -6) and F = (-5, -3) how do I solve for the area?

Answer 1

First Step: Plot the points on a graph sheet, join the points to form the shape of the area in question: http://prntscr.com/66f6jy

Answer 2

Step 2: Divide the area into simpler geometric shapes such as triangles and rectangles for which you can easily calculate the area:
Area ABCDEFA = Area AFG + Area ABC + Area CDFG - Area DFE

Step 3: Calculate the individual areas and plug it into the above equation.