Question 107404
Call the original area A and let x = side of original square
So, for the original square, {{{A = x^2}}}
Now if x is decreased by 2, A is decreased by 36, so
{{{A - 36 = (x-2)^2}}}
but {{{A = x^2}}}, so
{{{x^2 - 36 = (x-2)^2}}}
{{{x^2 - 36 = x^2 - 4x + 4}}}
{{{4x - 4 = 36}}}
{{{4x = 40}}}
{{{x = 10}}} cm
So, the original square was 10x10 and A = 100
check this
{{{A - 36 = (x-2)^2}}}
{{{100 - 36 = (10-2)^2}}}
{{{64 = 8^2}}}
{{{64 = 64}}} OK