Answer :

as it is a square all sides are equal so all sides are 12 feet long.

how many posts on one side?

First we find out how many lengths of 3 we have for 1 side:
12  / 3 = 4
And then multiply this by the amount of sides
4 * 4 = 16

We need 16 posts

1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1
1                    1
1                    1
1                    1
1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1

Answer is 16. Workings in the attachment below.
View image Аноним