Answer:
Length = x + 3 ft
Width = x - 3 ft
Area of new patio = x² - 9 sq ft
If original side length = 8, new area = 55 sq ft
Explanation:
The original patio has side length of x
If one side is reduced by 3 we get (x - 3) as the new side
If the side is increased by 3' we get (x + 3) as the new side
Area of new Patio = (x - 3)(x+3) = x² - 9
Original patio is 8 x 8
New patio width = 8 - 3 = 5
New patio length = 8 + 3 = 11
Area = 5 x 11 =55 sq ft