Based on a strict geometric interpretation (ignoring the rectangular distortion and treating them as a perfect grid), there are 17 squares hidden in the image.

Here is the breakdown of where the 17 squares are located:

1. The Small "Unit" Squares (Total: 13)

If you imagine the grid lines that form these shapes, there are 13 small, individual squares (think of them as the 1 x 1 blocks that make up the bigger shapes).

• Left Section (Blue area): 3 unique small squares (forming an L-shape).

• Overlap 1 (Blue/Orange): 1 small square in the intersection.

• Middle-Left Section (Orange area): 2 unique small squares (top-left and bottom-right of the orange block).

• Overlap 2 (Orange/Green): 1 small square in the intersection.

• Middle-Right Section (Green area): 2 unique small squares.

• Overlap 3 (Green/Red): 1 small square in the intersection.

• Right Section (Red area): 3 unique small squares (forming an L-shape).

Calculation: 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 3 = 13

2. The Large Squares (Total: 4)

These are the original four overlapping shapes themselves. Each one is made of 4 small unit squares ($2 \times 2$ grid).

• The Main Blue Square

• The Main Orange Square

• The Main Green Square

• The Main Red Square

Calculation: 13 (Small) + 4 (Large) = 17

Google. (2026). Gemini [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com