Applications and modeling with quadratice equations

Question

A square flower bed is to be enlarged by adding 2 meters on each side. If the larger square has an area of 196 square meters, what is the length of a side of the original square?

Answer 1

x is the side of the square flower bed

x+2 is the side of the enlarged flower bed

(x+2)^2=196

√(x+2)=√196

x+2=14

x=14-2

x=12 meters is the side of the original flower bed