Honors Math II Midterm Review: The question about the square. Yes, that one.

Question

The side of one square is 2 centimeters longer than the side of the second square. If the sum of their areas is 100cm², find the length of the side of each square.

Answer 1

s represents the side of the smaller square

s + 2 represents the side of the larger square

 

s² is the area of the smaller square

s² + 4s + 4 is the area of the larger square

 

s² + s² + 4s + 4 = 100

 

Can you solve for s?