SOLUTION: A square is altered so that one dimension is increased by 4, while the other dimension is decreased by 2. The area of the resulting rectangle is 55. Find the area of the original s

Question 210346: A square is altered so that one dimension is increased by 4, while the other dimension is decreased by 2. The area of the resulting rectangle is 55. Find the area of the original square.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A square is altered so that one dimension is increased by 4, while the other dimension is decreased by 2.
The area of the resulting rectangle is 55.
Find the area of the original square.
:
Let x = side of the original square,
:
(x+4) * (x-2) = 55
FOIL
x^2 - 2x + 4x - 8 = 55
:
x^2 + 2x - 8 - 55 = 0
:
x^2 + 2x - 63 = 0
Factors to:
(x+9)(x-7) = 0
Positive solution
x = 7 units, side of original square, it's area 49 sq/units
:
:
Check solution:
(7+4)(7-2) = 55
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