document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=92180>Question 92180</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hello I am not sure how to go about this. If the sides of a square are decreased by 3cm, the area is decreased by 81cm^2. What were the dimensions of the original square. I am thinking (x-3)^2=a-81cm^3, but where do I go from here? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #67019 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Earlsdon><B>Earlsdon(6294)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Earlsdon><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=67019\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Well, your initial idea is right on!<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28x-3%29%5E2+=+A-81 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28x-3%29%5E2+=+A-81\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Where A = original area and x = the original length of the side of the square.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The next step is to recall that <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=A+=+x%5E2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"A+=+x%5E2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, that is; the original area (A) is equal to the original sides squared <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28x%5E2%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28x%5E2%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, so substitute the A with <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5E2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5E2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > in the first equation then solve for x.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28x-3%29%5E2+=+x%5E2-81 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28x-3%29%5E2+=+x%5E2-81\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Expand the left side.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5E2-6x%2B9+=+x%5E2-81 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5E2-6x%2B9+=+x%5E2-81\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Subtract <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5E2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5E2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > from both sides.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-6x%2B9+=+-81 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-6x%2B9+=+-81\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Subtract 9 from both sides.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-6x+=+-90 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-6x+=+-90\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Finally, divide both sides by -6.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+15 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+15\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >cm.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Check:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%2815-3%292+=+15%5E2-81 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%2815-3%292+=+15%5E2-81\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=12%5E2+=+225-81 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"12%5E2+=+225-81\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=144+=+144 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"144+=+144\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );