Question 479398
the length of the whole board is 2 inches more than the length of the squares part (one inch all around)


(L + 2)^2 = 324 ___ L^2 + 4L + 4 = 324 ___ L^2 + 4L - 320 = 0


factoring ___ (L + 20)(L - 16) = 0


L + 20 = 0 ___ L = - 20 ___ negative value not realistic


L - 16 = 0 ___ L = 16