A rectangle was drawn using a ruler, such that each
,a.cb wm -sxv:-bumk) measurement has an uncertainty of
mb --m.x:)b a usvcwk,$0.5 \mathrm{~cm} .$

What is the absolute uncertainty in the area of the entire rectangle (i.e. combined small and big rectangles), in $\mathrm{cm}^2$ ?
$cm^2$ (Do not write units with the answer. Give your answer to 2 significant figures.)