Answer:
223 ft²
Step-by-step explanation:
First, we need to find the scale factor. So, taking into account the lengths of the triangles, we get that the scale factor is:
![k=\frac{15\text{ ft}}{40\text{ ft}}=0.375](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/ruds9rub5i6vl6xm45jj4zeu8r3mw4mucz.png)
Then, to know the area of the smaller triangle, we will use the following equation:
![A_{2\text{ }}=k^2(A_1)](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/76xb935eql8v3fkewy53o5nbwmyaf3yv24.png)
Where A2 is the area of the smaller triangle and A1 is the area of the larger triangle.
So, replacing k by 0.375 and A1 by 1583 ft², we get that the area of the smaller triangle is equal to:
![\begin{gathered} A_2=(0.375)^2(1583) \\ A_2=(0.1406)(1583) \\ A_2=222.6\approx223ft^2 \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/6d0ckvef30sbp96mcv9jpfdrsknoz6fvvh.png)
Therefore, the answer is 223 ft²