document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=355471>Question 355471</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> If the sides of a square are decreased by 2cm, the area is decreased by 36cm2. What were the dimensions of the original square? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #253876 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=mananth><B>mananth(16946)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=mananth><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/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=mananth><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=253876\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> let side of square be x <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Area = x^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "it is decreased by 2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "so new length = x-2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "area = (x-2)^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "..<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The area decreases by 36 m^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2-(x-2)^2=36<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2-x^2+2x-4=36<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x-4 = 36<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x=40<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x= 20 m<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "side = 20m <BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "m.ananth@hotmail.ca </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );