SOLUTION: If the sides of a square are reduced by 1 in. The total amount taken is equal to 40 square inches. What was the original length of the sides of the square.

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Question 1110990: If the sides of a square are reduced by 1 in. The total amount taken is equal to 40 square inches. What was the original length of the sides of the square.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Originally area x%5E2

New area after all four sides reduced by 1 inch, %28x-1%29%28x-1%29=x%5E2-2x%2B1

Total Amount Taken, x%5E2-%28x%5E2-2x%2B1%29=x%5E2-x%5E2%2B2x-1=highlight_green%282x-1%29

That amount taken away is 40 square inches.
2x-1=40
2x=41
highlight%28x=20%261%2F2%29-------original side length of square.