Question 1110990
Originally  area {{{x^2}}}


New area after all four sides reduced by 1 inch, {{{(x-1)(x-1)=x^2-2x+1}}}


Total Amount Taken, {{{x^2-(x^2-2x+1)=x^2-x^2+2x-1=highlight_green(2x-1)}}}


That amount taken away is 40 square inches.
{{{2x-1=40}}}
{{{2x=41}}}
{{{highlight(x=20&1/2)}}}-------original side length of square.