A rectangle was drawn using a ruler, such that each
1v+rd wb:p k7mq;l2odlib):b measurement has an uncertain
) dwol+r; pik1mqvbld2:: 7bb ty of $0.5 \mathrm{~cm} .$

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.)