document.write( "Question 472396: A square poster has sides measuring 2 feet less than the sides of a square sign. If the difference between their areas is 44 aquare feet, find the lenghts of the sides of the poster and sign. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #323917 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! A square poster has sides measuring 2 feet less than the sides of a square sign. \n" ); document.write( " If the difference between their areas is 44 square feet, find the lengths of the sides of the poster and sign. \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Let x = the length of the side of the sign \n" ); document.write( "then \n" ); document.write( "(x-2) = the length of the side of the poster \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "x^2 = the area of the sign \n" ); document.write( "and \n" ); document.write( "(x-2)^2 = the area of the poster \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Sign area - poster area = 44 sq/ft \n" ); document.write( "x^2 - (x-2)^2 = 44 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "FOIL (x-2)(x-2) \n" ); document.write( "x^2 - (x^2 - 4x + 4) = 44 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Removing the brackets changes the signs \n" ); document.write( "x^2 - x^2 + 4x - 4 = 44 \n" ); document.write( "4x = 44 + 4 \n" ); document.write( "4x = 48 \n" ); document.write( "x = \n" ); document.write( "x = 12 ft the side of the sign \n" ); document.write( "and \n" ); document.write( "12-2 = 10 ft the side of the poster \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Check: 12^2 - 10^2 = 44 \n" ); document.write( " |