The area of the original equilateral triangle is \( A_1 = \frac{\sqrt3}4 s^2 \). The area of the smaller equilateral triangle with side \( \fracs2 \) is \( A_2 = \frac{\sqrt3}4 \left(\fracs2\right)^2 = \frac{\sqrt3}4 \cdot \fracs^24 = \frac{\sqrt3}16 s^2 \). The decrease in area is \( \Delta A = A_1 - A_2 = \frac{\sqrt3}4 s^2 - \frac{\sqrt3}16 s^2 = \left(\frac416 - \frac116\right)\sqrt3 s^2 = \frac{3\sqrt3}16 s^2 \). The percentage decrease is: - Silent Sales Machine