SOLUTION: I'm confused as to what formula I would use for this word problem: If the sides of a square are lengthened by 6cm, the area becomes 144cm^2. Find the length of the original square

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equation Customizable Word Problems -> SOLUTION: I'm confused as to what formula I would use for this word problem: If the sides of a square are lengthened by 6cm, the area becomes 144cm^2. Find the length of the original square      Log On


   



Question 296091: I'm confused as to what formula I would use for this word problem:
If the sides of a square are lengthened by 6cm, the area becomes 144cm^2. Find the length of the original square.

Answer by mananth(16946) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let the length of the square be x
increase by 6
= x+6
(x+6)^2=144
Take square root of the equation
x+6 = 12
x=12-6
x=6 cms the original length.