document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=33406>Question 33406</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> If the sides of a square are decreased by 3 cm, the area is decreased by 81 cm^2.  What were the dimensions of the original square?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Thank you. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #19755 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=19755\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Let the original square have side=x, and area=x^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "If the side is decreased by 3cm it becomes x-3, and area is (x-3)^2.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "EQUATION:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  old area - new area = 81 cm^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2-(x-3)^2=81<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2-[x^2-6x+9]=81<BR>\n" );
document.write( "6x-9=81<BR>\n" );
document.write( "6x=90<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x=15cm     (size of old side)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x-3=12cm   (size of new side)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
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