SOLUTION: If the sides of a square are increased by 3 in, the area is increased by 39 in. What were the dimensions of the original square?

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Question 92881: If the sides of a square are increased by 3 in, the area is increased by 39 in. What were the dimensions of the original square?
Answer by psbhowmick(878) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the original length of each side = x in. Then, original area = x%5E2 sq in.

Then, the final length of each side = (x + 3) in and final area = %28x+%2B+3%29%5E2 sq in.

Hence, the increment in area
= %28x%2B3%29%5E2+-+x%5E2 sq. in
= 6x%2B9 sq. in
This value is equal to 39 sq. in.

Hence, 6x+%2B+9+=+39
6x+=+39+-+9+=+30
x+=+30%2F6+=+5

Ans: Original length of the sides of the square were 5 inches.