Answer: 4 times
Step-by-step explanation: If the area of a square has increased by a factor of 16,
Let us consider, the area of an old square is A and its side is
.
Now, the area of a new square is 16 A and its side is

Now, we take a ratio of area of the old and new square



So, we can say that the sides of new square is 4 times of the sides of old square.