Question 618240
Let {{{s}}} = a side of the original square
Let {{{A}}} = the original area of the square
given:
{{{ A = s^2 }}}
{{{ A - 50 = ( s - 4.5 )^2 }}}
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By substitution:
{{{ s^2 - 50 = s^2 - 9s + 20.25 }}}
{{{ 9s = 50 + 20.25 }}}
{{{ s = 70.25/9 }}}
{{{ s = 7.8056 }}}
The original square is 7.8056 x 7.8056 cm2
check:
{{{ A - 50 = ( s - 4.5 )^2 }}}
{{{ 60.927 - 50 = ( 7.8056 - 4.5 )^2
{{{ 10.927 = 3.3056^2 }}}
{{{ 10.927 = 10.927 }}}
OK