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 55ft^2. Find the area of the origin

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> 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 55ft^2. Find the area of the origin      Log On


   

Question 343651: 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 55ft^2. Find the area of the original square.
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Let represent the measure of the side of the original square.

Then the sides of the rectangle are now and

Since the area of a rectangle is the length times the width, we can write:



Put the quadratic in standard form, factor and solve for . Square the result to find the area of the original square.


John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it