document.write( "Question 78507: If the sides of a square are decreased by 2 cm., the area is decreased by 36 cm^2. What were the dimensions of the original square? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #56309 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
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If the sides of a square are decreased by 2 cm., 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^2 = the area of the original square:
\n" ); document.write( "Then (x-2)^2 = area of the smaller square:
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\n" ); document.write( "Large square area - small square area = 36
\n" ); document.write( "x^2 - (x-2)^2 = 36
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\n" ); document.write( "FOIL (x-2)(x-2):
\n" ); document.write( "x^2 - (x^2 - 4x + 4) = 36
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\n" ); document.write( "Remove brackets, changes the signs inside the brackets:
\n" ); document.write( "x^2 - x^2 + 4x - 4 = 36
\n" ); document.write( "4x = 36 + 4
\n" ); document.write( "4x = 40
\n" ); document.write( "x = 40/4
\n" ); document.write( "x = 10 cm, side of original square
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\n" ); document.write( "Check:
\n" ); document.write( "10^2 - 8^2 =
\n" ); document.write( "100 - 64 = 36
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