163k views
2 votes
The length of each side of a square increases by 2.5 inches to form a new square with a perimeter of 70 inches. The length of each side of the original square was inches. NextReset

User SimplyMe
by
7.6k points

2 Answers

2 votes
Let x be the original side length of the square

P=2(l+w)
70=2((2.5+x)+(2.5+x))
70=2(5+2x)
70/2 = 5+2x
35-5=2x
30=2x
15=x

Therefore, the original length of the square was 15"

Hope I helped :)
User Shawn Baek
by
8.0k points
6 votes

Answer:

The length of each side of the original square was
15 inches

Explanation:

Let

x------> the length side of the original square

we know that

The perimeter of a square is equal to


P=4b

where

b is the length side of the square

In this problem


b=(x+2.5)\ in


P=70\ in

substitute


70=4(x+2.5)

solve for x


70=4x+10


4x=70-10


x=60/4=15\ in

User Jingles
by
7.6k points