Question 707196
Call the sides of the original square x.  The sides of the new square are x+3, and its area is side times side = (x+3)*(x+3) = 64.<P>
Solve for x.  First multiply the left...use FOIL...<P>
{{{x^2 + 6x + 9 = 64}}} ...subtract 64 from both sides {{{x^2 + 6x -55 = 0}}}<P>
Factor using reverse foil (two numbers that when multiplied are -55 and when added are 6...11 * -5.)<P>
(x+11)*(x-5) = 0 ---->  x+11=0 so x=-11 and x-5=0 so x=5.<P>
The side of a square cannot have a negative length, so ignore -11.  x=5, and the area of a square with length 5 is 5*5=25 square inches.
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