Answer
$y=\pm12$
Work Step by Step
Since $x^2=a$ implies $x=\pm\sqrt{a}$ (the Square Root Property), then the solutions of the given equation, $
y^2=144
,$ are
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
y=\pm\sqrt{144}
\\\\
y=\pm\sqrt{(12)^2}
\\\\
y=\pm12
.\end{array}