Answer:
25 ft²
Step-by-step explanation:
The hypotenuse = [tex]\sqrt{169}[/tex] = 13 ft
the side with area 144 ft² = [tex]\sqrt{144}[/tex] = 12 ft
Using Pythagoras' identity to find the third side x ( smallest )
x² + 12² = 13²
x² + 144 = 169 ( subtract 144 from both sides )
x² = 25 ( take the square root of both sides )
x = [tex]\sqrt{25}[/tex] = 5
Thus area of smallest side = 5² = 25 ft²
