Calculate the area: a) A rectangle with length 2m and width 7/8m. b) A rectangle with length 2 1/4m and width 1 7/9m.

The expression becomes:

The expression now is:

As a mixed number, this is $5\frac{1}{6}$.

The final answer is $\boxed{\frac{31}{6}}$.

5) Calculate the area

Assumption: For both parts (a) and (b), the corner markings (squares or curves) are assumed to be stylistic or indicators of angle types, and do not represent cut-outs that affect the overall area calculation. We will calculate the area of the main rectangular shape defined by the given length and width.

a)

Length $= 2 \text{ m}$
Width $= \frac{2}{8} \text{ m} = \frac{1}{4} \text{ m}$

The area is $\boxed{\frac{1}{2} \text{ m}^2}$.

b)

Length $= 2\frac{1}{4} \text{ m} = \frac{2 \times 4 + 1}{4} \text{ m} = \frac{9}{4} \text{ m}$
Width $= 1\frac{1}{7} \text{ m} = \frac{1 \times 7 + 1}{7} \text{ m} = \frac{8}{7} \text{ m}$

Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 4.

As a mixed number, this is $2\frac{4}{7} \text{ m}^2$.

The area is $\boxed{\frac{18}{7} \text{ m}^2}$.