Question 129698
LET X BE THE ORIGINAL LENGTH OF THE SIDES OF THE SQUARE.
THEN THE NEW LENGTH IS X+7+7=X+14
(X+14)^2=144
X^2+28X+196=144
X^2+28X+196-144=0
X^2+28+52=0
(X+26)(X+2)=0
X+26=0
X=-26 NOT AN ANSWER.
X+2=X-2 NOT AN ANSWER.
FOR A SUARE AREA=144 FT^2 THE SIDES ARE 12 FT. 
HOWEVER YOU ADDED 14 FT. TO THE ORIGINAL SIDE WHICH DOESN'T FIT THE ANSWER OF 144 FT^2.