Solve for x in the equation x2+2x+1=17

The left side can be written as a square. We can take the square root, then subtract 1.

... (x +1)² = 17

... x +1 = ±√17

... x = -1 ±√17

area of part 1:

a1=base*height/2=(8+2)*(8-2-2-1)/2=10*3/2=15 ft^2

area of part 2:

a2=length*width=(8+2)*1=10 ft2

area of part 3:

a3=length*width=8*2=16 ft2

total shaded area : a1+a2+a3=41 ft2

total area of the reactangle : a=16*8=128 ft2

total area of the nonshaded region : 128-41=87 ft2