How do you know when to add or subtract when you are asked to find the area of a composite figure?

To determine whether to add or subtract when finding the area of a composite figure, first identify the shapes that make up the composite figure. If you are combining areas of multiple shapes, you will typically add their areas together. However, if there are overlapping areas or sections that need to be excluded, you will subtract those areas from the total. Always visualize the figure and consider the specific regions involved to decide the correct operation.