SOLUTION: if the sides of a square are decreased by 2cm, the area is decreased by 36cm^2 how would i get the dimensions of the original square?

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Question 75075: if the sides of a square are decreased by 2cm, the area is decreased by 36cm^2 how would i get the dimensions of the original square?
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
if the sides of a square are decreased by 2cm, the area is decreased by 36cm^2 how would i get the dimensions of the original square?
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Let the original square have side = "x"
New dimension is : side = "x-2 cm "
Area of new square is (x-2)^2
Area of original square was x^2
EQUATION:
Original Area - New Area = 36 cm^2
x^2-(x-2)^2=36
x^2-x^2+4x-4=36
4x=40
x=10
Original square was 10 cm by 10 cm
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Cheers,
Stan H.