Question

Shayna enlarged a square photo by adding 10 inches to each side so it could be seen on a large poster. The area of the enlarged photo is 256 square inches. In the equation (x + 10)2 = 256, x represents the side measure of the original square photo.

What were the dimensions of the original photo?

Answer 1

6 inches by 6 inches

Explanation:

Answer 2

The area of a square is expressed as the length of the side to the power of two, A = s^2. We were given the area of the enlarged photo which is 256 in^2. Also, it was stated that the length of the enlarged photo is the length of the original photo plus ten inches. So, from these statements we can make an equation to solve for x which represents the length of the original photo.

A = s^2
where s = (x+10)
A = (x+10)^2 = 256
Solving for x,
x= 6 in.

The dimensions of the original photo is 6 x 6.