document.write( "Question 195848: If the sides of a square are increased by 2 meters, the area becomes 49 square meters. Find the length of a side of the original square. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #146916 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! If the sides of a square are increased by 2 meters, the area becomes 49 square meters. \n" ); document.write( "Find the length of a side of the original square. \n" ); document.write( "; \n" ); document.write( "Let x = side of the original square \n" ); document.write( "then \n" ); document.write( "(x+2) = side of the larger square \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Find the area of the larger square \n" ); document.write( "(x+2)*(x+2) = 49 \n" ); document.write( "FOIL \n" ); document.write( "x^2 + 4x +4 = 49 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "x^2 + 4x + 4 - 49 = 0 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "x^2 + 4x - 45 = 0; a quadratic equation \n" ); document.write( "Factors to: \n" ); document.write( "(x+9)(x-5) = 0 \n" ); document.write( "Positive solution is what we want here \n" ); document.write( "x = 5 meters is the side of the original square \n" ); document.write( "; \n" ); document.write( "; \n" ); document.write( "Check solution: (5+2)^2 = 49 \n" ); document.write( " |