A square is altered so that one dimension is increased by 2, while the other dimension is decreased by 2. The area of the resulting rectangle is 60.

Question

A square is altered so that one dimension is increased by 2, while the other dimension is decreased by 2. The area of the resulting rectangle is 60. Find the side length of the original square.      

Answer 1

(L+2)(W-2) = 60

but L=W since the original rectangle was a square

(L+2)(L-2) = 60

L^2 -4 = 60

L^2 = 64

L= sqr64 = 8

L=W = 8