SOLUTION: The side of one square is 3 cm longer than the side of a second square. If the combined area is 65 cm^2, find the lengths of the sides of both squares.

Question 485509: The side of one square is 3 cm longer than the side of a second square. If the combined area is 65 cm^2, find the lengths of the sides of both squares.
Answer by John10(297) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x be the first square's side then other square's side is (x + 3) cm
The first square area is x^2
The second square area is (x + 3)^2
The sum of the areas is: x^2 + (x + 3)^2 = 65 (***)
Solve (***)
x^2 + x^2 + 6x + 9 = 65
2x^2 + 6x - 56 = 0
x^2 + 3x - 28 = 0
(x + 7)(x - 4)= 0
x = -7 or x = 4
Since the length can NOT be negative,the first square side is 4 cm
The second square side is 4 + 3 = 7 cm.
Hope it will help you! John10:)
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