Calculate Parallelogram Area: Using Base 9 and Height 5

The area of a parallelogram is calculated using the formula $A = \text{base} \times \text{height}$.

From the figure, we identify the base $BC$ as 9 cm and the perpendicular distance (height) from point $E$ to $BC$ as 5 cm.

Substituting into the formula for area, we have:

$A = 9 \, \text{cm} \times 5 \, \text{cm} = 45 \, \text{cm}^2$

Therefore, the area of the parallelogram is $45 \, \text{cm}^2$.

Looking at the provided answer choices, the correct choice is:

$45$ cm².