SOLUTION: Each side of a square is increased 8 inches. When this happens, the area is multiplied by 16. How many inches in the side of the original square?

Algebra ->  Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: Each side of a square is increased 8 inches. When this happens, the area is multiplied by 16. How many inches in the side of the original square?       Log On


   

Question 1135548: Each side of a square is increased 8 inches. When this happens, the area is multiplied by 16. How many inches in the side of the original square?
Answer by ikleyn(52781) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
%28x%2B8%29%5E2 = 16x%5E2


It implies (after taking square root of both sides)


    x + 8  = 4x  ====>  3x = 8  ====>  x = 8%2F3 inches.    ANSWER