Final answer:
The lateral area of a square-based pyramid is the sum of the areas of the four triangles, but the slant height or pyramid's height is needed for the calculation; with the given information, it cannot be determined.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the lateral area of a square-based pyramid, you need to calculate the area of the four triangular faces that connect the base to the apex. Each triangle's base is the side of the square, and its height (often called the slant height) must be given or calculated using the Pythagorean theorem if the pyramid's height is known. Unfortunately, the provided information is insufficient because the slant height or the pyramid's height is not given, making it impossible to accurately compute the lateral area.