Answer:
38.5
Explanation:
When a margin of 1.5 inches is left, then the dimensions of the picture a reduced by
[tex]\begin{gathered} \text{width}=8.5-(2\cdot1.5) \\ \text{length}=10-(2\cdot1.5) \end{gathered}[/tex]meaning the new width is
[tex]8.5-3=5.5[/tex]and the new length is
[tex]10-3=7[/tex]therefore, the area of the picture is
[tex]7\cdot5.5=38.5[/tex]Hence, the area of the picture is 38.5 square inches.