Question 71282

Let x=distance from 1st to 2nd in softball
Then (x-33)=distance from 1st to 2nd in indoor baseball

And {{{x^2}}}=area of the square bounded by the bases in softball
And {{{(x-33)^2}}}=area of the square bounded by bases in indoor baseball

Now we are told that the area of the square bounded by  indoor baseball is 2871 sq ft less than the area of the square bounded by the bases in softball.  So our equation to solve is:

{{{((x-33)^2)+2871=x^2}}} get rid of parens

{{{x^2-66x+1089+2871=x^2}}}  subtract {{{x^2}}} from both sides

{{{x^2-x^2-66x+3960=x^2-x^2}}}  collect like terms
{{{-66x+3960=0}}}  subtract 3960 from both sides
{{{-66x=-3960}}}  divide both sides by -66
{{{x=60}}} ft---------------distance from 1st to 2nd in softball



{{{x-33=60-33=27}}} ft----distance from 1st to 2nd in indoor baseball

CK
{{{27^2=729}}}
{{{60^2=3600}}}
{{{3600-729=2871}}}
{{{2871=2871}}}



Hope this helps---ptaylor