Question

The sides of a square are reduced by 2 inches. the new area is 20 square inches. Set up and solve an equation to find the original length of the square.

USE THE SQUARE ROOT PROPERTY!!!!!

Answer 1

Explanation:

`(x - 2)^(2) = 20`

`x - 2 = \sqrt {20}`

`x - 2 = 2\sqrt {5}`

`x = 2 + 2\sqrt {5}`

`x = 6.47 inches (3sf)`