Sum of Areas

Let a $(x, y)$ rectangle denote an axis-aligned rectangle with width equal to $x$ and height equal to $y$, where $x$ and $y$ are positive integers. You are given a $(N, M)$ rectangle. You must repeat the following process as long as your rectangle has at least one side longer than $1$: - Make a horizontal or vertical cut inside the rectangle, splitting it into two rectangles. The sides of both th