document.write( "Question 70704This question is from textbook Beginning Algebra
\n" ); document.write( ": If the sides of a square are decreased by 2cm, the area is deacreased by 36 cm^2. What were the dimensions of the original square?\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I am having a hard time with this problem and need some help, please. Thanks \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #50475 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
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If the sides of a square are decreased by 2cm, the area is decreased by 36 cm^2. What were the dimensions of the original square?
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\n" ); document.write( "Let x = length of the side of the original square
\n" ); document.write( "Then the area of the original square = x*x = x^2
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\n" ); document.write( "sides decreased by 2cm is squared and equals original area - 36 sq cm
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\n" ); document.write( "(x-2)^2 = x^2 - 36
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\n" ); document.write( "x^2 - 4x + 4 = x^2 - 36; FOILed (x-2)*(x-2)
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\n" ); document.write( "x^2 - x^2 - 4x = -36 - 4
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\n" ); document.write( "-4x = -40
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\n" ); document.write( "x = -40/-4
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\n" ); document.write( "x = +10 cm is the side of the original square
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\n" ); document.write( "Check:
\n" ); document.write( "original sq area = 10^2 = 100 sq cm
\n" ); document.write( " New square area = 8^2 = 64
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\n" ); document.write( "The difference is 36 sq cm
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