if the sides of a square are increased by 2 inches the area becomes 25 square inches. Find the length of the sides of the original square.

Question

algebra 

Answer 1

Marjorie,

 

if the sides of a square (x) are increased by 2 inches (then each side becomes (x + 2) inches) and the area becomes (A = side² = (x+2)²) square inches. Find the length of the sides of the original square.

 

(x+2)² = 25

<=> x² + 4x + 4 = 25

<=> x² + 4x + 4 - 25 = 25 -25

<=> x² + 4x -21 = 0

(x+7)(x-3)=0

x = 3 and x is not equal to -7

 

Answer 2

Hi Marjorie,

 

Let x = the original length

 

(x+2) * (x+2)=25

 

(x+2)² = 25

 

take the square root of both sides

 

x+2 = 5

 

x = 3

 

the original sides were 3

 

Hope this helps