Question 449827
a square has its length increased by 2 inches and its width decreased by 3 inches.
 the resulting rectangle has an area of 14 square inches.
 Determine the area of the original square?
:
Let x = the side of the original square
then
(x+2) = new length
(x-3} = new width 
and new area
(x+2)*(x-3) = 14
FOIL
x^2 - 3x + 2x - 6 = 14
Combine like terms
x^2 - x - 6 - 14 = 0
x^2 - x - 20 = 0
Factors to
(x-5)(x+4) = 0
Positive solution is all we want here
x = 5 in, side of original square
then
5^2 = 25 sq/in is the area of the original square

:
:
Check this by finding the new area
(5+2)*(5-3) = 14