1. **State the problem:** We need to find the area of a composite figure made by joining two rectangles. 2. **Identify the dimensions:** - Bottom rectangle: width = 75 in, height = 15 in - Top rectangle: consists of two parts each 25 in wide and 10 in high, with a 10 in step in the middle. 3. **Formula for area of a rectangle:** $$\text{Area} = \text{width} \times \text{height}$$ 4. **Calculate the area of the bottom rectangle:** $$\text{Area}_{bottom} = 75 \times 15 = 1125$$ 5. **Calculate the area of the top rectangle:** The top rectangle is composed of two rectangles each 25 in wide and 10 in high, so total width is $25 + 25 = 50$ in. $$\text{Area}_{top} = 50 \times 10 = 500$$ 6. **Calculate total area:** $$\text{Area}_{total} = \text{Area}_{bottom} + \text{Area}_{top} = 1125 + 500 = 1625$$ 7. **Final answer:** The area of the figure is **1625 square inches**.