Step 1: Let the height from C perpendicular to AB = h. Area of △ABC = ½ × AB × h = 96 cm² → AB × h = 192 Step 2: Since AE = ⅓ AC, the height from E perpendicular to AB is ⅓ of the height from C. Height from E to AB = h ÷ 3 Step 3: Find the area of triangle ABE. Area = ½ × AB × (h ÷ 3) = ⅓ × (½ × AB × h) = ⅓ × 96 = 32 cm² Step 4: Since D is the midpoint of AB, AD = ½ × AB. Triangle ADE shares the same height from E as triangle ABE, but its base AD is half of AB. Area of △ADE = ½ × Area of △ABE = ½ × 32 = 16 cm²