if sides of square decreased by 2cm, area decr. by 36 cm^2

If the sides of a square are decreased by 2cm, the area is decreased by 36 cm squared. What were the dimensions of the original square?

Re: sides of a square decreased

traci65 said:

If the sides of a square are decreased by 2cm, the area is decreased by 36 cm squared. What were the dimensions of the original square?

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Let x = length of a side of the original square

The area of the original square is length times width, or x*x, or x^2

Now, if you decrease the length of a side of the square by 2 cm, what will the new length be?

What will the new area be?

New area = original area - 36

Can you write an equation for that, and solve for x?

Re: sides of a square decreased

Yes, thank you. I actually have to factor it, so it would be the difference of two squares. I can solve the equation. My main problem was translating the word problem into the equation. Thanks again for your help.