To convert an area measured in square inches to square centimeters, we need to multiply the area in square inches by the conversion factor that converts square inches to square centimeters. In this case, the conversion factor is 6.5 square centimeters per square inch. So, to convert the paper's area of 96 square inches to square centimeters, we multiply 96 square inches by 6.5 square centimeters per square inch, giving us 96 * 6.5 = 624 square centimeters. Thus, the paper's area in square centimeters is 624 square centimeters.