document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=52026>Question 52026</A>This question is from textbook <A HREF=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0073016020/algebrahomeworkh>Beginning Algebra</A><BR>\n" );
document.write( ": <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> If the sides of a square are decreased by 3 cm, the area is decreased by 81cm^2. 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 #34698 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=mathchemprofessor><B>mathchemprofessor(65)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-08.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=mathchemprofessor><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=34698\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Let the original sides fo the square be xcm<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Area of the square= x^2 cm^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "When the sides are decreased by 3cm, then the area is (x-3)^2 sq cm<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Given:<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( "x^2-x^2+6x-9=81<BR>\n" );
document.write( "6x=81+9=90<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x=15<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So, the original dimensions of the square=15cm </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );