Question 116522
Let {{{x}}} = the original sides of the square
Let {{{A}}} = the original area of the square
{{{A = x^2}}}
{{{A - 36 = (x - 2)^2}}}
{{{A - 36 = x^2 - 4x + 4}}}
{{{x^2 - 36 = x^2 - 4x + 4}}}
{{{-36 = -4x + 4}}}
{{{4x = 36 + 4}}}
{{{x = 10}}}cm answer
The original square was 10 cm X 10 cm
check answer
{{{A - 36 = (x - 2)^2}}}
{{{A - 36 = (10 - 2)^2}}}
{{{A - 36 = 64}}}
{{{A = 100}}}
If I decrease A by 36, I get 64 cm2, and that's 
an 8 X 8 square or (10-2) X (10-2)