To find side $ a $ use formula:
$$ A = \dfrac{ \sqrt{ 3 } \cdot a^2 }{ 4 }$$After substituting $A = 12\, \text{cm}$ we have:
$$ 12\, \text{cm} = \dfrac{ \sqrt{ 3 } \cdot a^2 }{ 4 }$$ $$ 12\, \text{cm} \cdot 4 = \sqrt{ 3 } \cdot a^2 $$ $$ 48\, \text{cm} = \sqrt{ 3 } \cdot a^2 $$ $$ a^2 = \dfrac{ 48\, \text{cm} }{ \sqrt{ 3 } } $$ $$ a^2 = 16 \sqrt{ 3 }\, \text{cm} $$ $$ a = \sqrt{ 16 \sqrt{ 3 }\, \text{cm} } $$$$ a \approx 5.2643 $$