<PRE><B>Question 88610</B>
Original dimensions of the triangle are 15 in and 12 in

Area in this case = (1/2)*15*12

                  = 90 sq in

Dimensions of the new triangle are 5 in and 4 in

Area in this case = (1/2)*5*4

                  = 10 sq in

Now ratio of the areas = 90:10

                       = 9:1

Ratio of the sides = 15:5     and  12:4
                    = 3:1      and  3:1

So we find that the ratio of the areas is the square of the ratio of the sides

Good Luck!!!

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