SOLUTION: The length and the width of a rectangle is respectively 8 cm larger and 4 cm shorter than the side of a square of equal area. What is the length of one side of the square?

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Question 936538: The length and the width of a rectangle is respectively 8 cm larger and 4 cm shorter than the side of a square of equal area. What is the length of one side of the square?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x be the side of the square.
x%5E2=A and A is not given but expected to be a constant.

The dimensions of the rectangle: x%2B8 and x-4.

Same areas, so %28x%2B8%29%28x-4%29=A.

The situation is of two expressions for the same area A.

highlight_green%28%28x%2B8%29%28x-4%29=x%5E2%29
You do the rest. Any difficulty?
(Could be solved in three steps, maybe four).



x=8