Pre Calc word problem

Question

an 26-foot string is cut into two pieces, and each piece is arranged into a square. let x be the side-length of the square made from the first piece, and let y be the side-length of the square made from the second piece.

a. write a formula for y as a function of x .

y =

b. what is the total area of the two squares as a function of x ?

A=

Answer 1

Well the two perimeters together must add up to 26, so 4x + 4y = 26

So 4y = 26 - 4x

so y = 6.5 - x

Total area = x² + y² = x² + (6.5 - x)²

Hopefully you can finish this (expand the squared bracket and collect like terms)

Mike