SOLUTION: Okay. I am not very good with word problems and need help with this one: If the sides of a square are lengthened by 8 cm, the area becomes 144 cm^2. Find the length of a side of

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Question 468614: Okay. I am not very good with word problems and need help with this one:
If the sides of a square are lengthened by 8 cm, the area becomes 144 cm^2. Find the length of a side of the original square.
What is the length of the original square in cm's?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Answer by jorel1380(3719) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(x+8)(x+8)=144
x2+16x+64=144
x2+16x=80
x2+16x-80=0
(x+20)(x-4)=0
x=-20 or 4
Throwing out the negative answer, we get the original square to be 4 cm. x 4 cm..