SOLUTION: If the sides of a square are decreased by 2 cm, the area is decreased by 36 cm2. What were the dimensions of the original square?

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Question 91890: If the sides of a square are decreased by 2 cm, the area is decreased by 36 cm2. What were the dimensions of the original square?
Answer by mathispowerful(115) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Let original length be x
then x%5E2+-+%28x-2%29%5E2+=+36
Solve this equation:
x%5E2+-+x%5E2+%2B4x+-4+=+36
4x - 4 = 36
4x = 40
x = 10
So the original square has length of 10 cm