If it has 3 sides then it's a triangle.
Using the formula [tex]A= \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} [/tex]
where [tex]s= \frac{a+b+c}{2} [/tex]
and a=5 b=5 c=8
∴[tex] s= \frac{5+5+8}{2} =9[/tex]
[tex]area= \sqrt{9(9-5)(9-5)(9-8)} [/tex]
[tex]area= \sqrt{144} = 12units^{2} [/tex]