Question 347069
Let s=one length of twine--------------------perimeter of one square
Then 48-s=the other length---perimeter of second square

Side of first square=s/4; Area=s^2/16
Side of second square=(48-s)/4; Area=(2304-96s+s^2)/16
And we are told that the two areas add up to 74 sq inches, so:
s^2/16+(2304-96s+s^2)/16=74  multiply each term by 16
s^2+2304-96s+s^2=1184 simplify
2s^2-96s+1120=0 
s^2-48s+560=0----------quadratic in standard form and it can be factored
(s-28)(s-20)=0
s=28 in--- solution
s=20 in--- -solution

Side of larger square =28/4=7 in; area=49 sq in
Side of smaller square=20/4=5 in; area=25 sq in
49+25=74
74=74

Hope this helps---ptaylor