<PRE><B>Question 335799</B>
length of a rectangle is x+2.
width of the rectangle is x-1.
length of the side of a square is x.


The area of the rectangle exceeds the area of the square by 2 square centimeters.


Find x.


exceeds means &quot;is greater than&quot;


the area of the rectangle is equal to length * width = (x+2) * (x-1).


the area of the square is equal to side * side = x * x = x^2.


Since the area of the rectangle exceeds the area of the square by 2 square centimeters, then the equation would be:


(x+2) * (x-1) = x^2 + 2


I believe you have the equation right.


Solving this problem, you get:


x^2 + x - 2 = x^2 + 2


Subtracting x^2 from both sides of the equation and adding 2 to both sides of the equation gets:


x = 4.


That should be your answer.


(4+2)*(4-1) = 6*3 = 18


4*4 = 16


18 exceeds 16 by 2.


18 is greater than 16 by 2.


18 = 16 + 2


Answer is confirmed to be good.







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