Question

jillian is trying to save water so she reuces the size of her square grass lawn by 8 ft on each side the area of the smaller lawn is 144 square feet in the equation (x-2)^2=144 x represents the side measure of the original lawn. what were the dimensions of the original lawn?

Answer 1

(x - 8)^2 = 144
take the sq rt of both sides
x - 8 = 12
x = 12 + 8
x = 20

20 feet by 20 feet

Answer 2

Answer: 20 feet.

Explanation:

Given: Jillian is trying to save water so she reduces the size of her square grass lawn by 8 ft on each side the area of the smaller lawn is 144 square feet.

The equation according to the given information will be :-

`(x-8)^2=144 x`, x represents the side measure of the original lawn.

To find x , first we take square root on the both sides , we get

`(x-8)=√(144)\\\\\Rightarrow\ (x-8)=\pm12`

Now, add 8 on the both sides ,we get

`x=20,\ or\ x=-4`

But dimensions cannot be negative .

Therefore , the dimensions of the original lawn = 20 feet.