SOLUTION: Polynomials - difference of two squares The sum of the areas of two squares is 234 square inches. Each side of the larger square is five times the length of a side of the smalle

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Question 257215: Polynomials - difference of two squares
The sum of the areas of two squares is 234 square inches. Each side of the larger square is five times the length of a side of the smaller square. Find the length of a side of each square.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
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The sum of the areas of two squares is 234 square inches.
Each side of the larger square is five times the length of a side of the smaller square.
Find the length of a side of each square.
:
Write an equation for each statement: (sides of two squares, x & y)
:
"The sum of the areas of two squares is 234 square inches."
x^2 + y^2 = 234
:
"Each side of the larger square is five times the length of a side of the smaller square."
x = 5y
:
In the 1st equation, replace x with 5y
(5y)^2 + y^2 = 234
25y^2 + y^2 = 234
26y^2 = 234
y^2 = 234%2F26
y^2 = 9
y = 3" side of the smaller square
then
x = 5(3) = 15" side of the larger square
:
:
Check: 15^2 + 3^2 = 234