1. The problem is to find the value of the piecewise function $$f(x) = \begin{cases} 2x+5 & \text{if } x \leq -3 \\ |x| & \text{if } x > -3 \end{cases}$$ at $$x = -1.5$$. 2. Since $$-1.5 > -3$$, we use the second piece of the function: $$f(x) = |x|$$. 3. The absolute value function $$|x|$$ returns the non-negative value of $$x$$, so $$| -1.5 | = 1.5$$. 4. Therefore, $$f(-1.5) = 1.5$$. Final answer: $$\boxed{1.5}$$