dimensions of square The length of each side of a square is 3 in. more than the length of each side of smaller square. sum of areas of the squares is 149 in^2. find lengths of sides of both squares

Question

need help solving this problem from a worksheet. the answer has to be in a complete sentence with the correct units

Answer 1

Hi Bridget P.

I have a different read/interpretation of your problem, you have two squares one larger than the other. The length of the side of the larger square is 3 inches longer than the length of the side of the smaller square.

Let the length of the side of the larger square be S = x + 3

Let the length of the side of the smaller square be s = x

The sum of the areas is 149

The area of a square is the length of one side squared or just s²

Substituting

S² + s² = (x + 3)² + x² = 149

x² + 6x + 9 + x² = 149

2x² + 6x + 9 - 149 = 0

2x² + 6x - 140 = 0

x² + 3x - 70 = 0

(x + 10)(x - 7) = 0

Since length cannot be negative

x = 7

Checking

(x + 3)² + x² = 149

(7 + 3)² + 7² = 149

10² + 7² =149

100 + 49 = 149

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

x² + (3x)² = 149

Can you solve for x and answer?