We can divide the given figure into two rectangles. The top rectangle has dimensions 8 inches by 3 inches. The bottom rectangle has dimensions 6 inches by 2 inches.
Step 2: Calculate the area of the top rectangle.
The area of the top rectangle is length times width, which is \(8 \text{ in.} \times 3 \text{ in.} = 24 \text{ in.}^2\).
Step 3: Calculate the area of the bottom rectangle.
The area of the bottom rectangle is length times width, which is \(6 \text{ in.} \times 2 \text{ in.} = 12 \text{ in.}^2\).
Step 4: Calculate the total area.
The total area of the figure is the sum of the areas of the two rectangles: \(24 \text{ in.}^2 + 12 \text{ in.}^2 = 36 \text{ in.}^2\).
Final Answer
The area of the figure is \\(\boxed{36 \text{ in.}^2}\\).