document.write( "Question 157330: If the sides of a square are lengthened by 5cm, the area becomes 81cm^2. Find the length of a side of the original square. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #115956 by jojo14344(1513)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let \"s\"= original side
\n" ); document.write( "\"s%2B5\"= lengthened by 5 cm
\n" ); document.write( "\"A%5Bnew%5D=81cm%5E2\"
\n" ); document.write( "So, \"A%5Bnew%5D=%28s%2B5%29%5E2\" ---------------> working eqn
\n" ); document.write( "\"81=s%5E2%2B10s%2B25\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"s%5E2%2B10s%2B25-81=0\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"s%5E2%2B10s-56=0\", factor out, perfect square
\n" ); document.write( "\"%28s%2B14%29%28s-4%29=0\"
\n" ); document.write( "2 values: \"s=-14\" ----------> don't use
\n" ); document.write( "\"s=4cm\" ---------------------> original side
\n" ); document.write( "In doubt? go back working eqn,
\n" ); document.write( "\"81=%28s%2B5%29%5E2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"81=%284%2B5%29%5E2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"81=9%5E2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"81=81\"
\n" ); document.write( "thank you,
\n" ); document.write( "Jojo
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );