Question

The length of each side of the square is decreased by 2 inches, so the perimeter is now 48 inches . What was the original length of each side of the square

Answer 1

x=original length of each side of the square.
perimeter: sum of all sides=4(length of the side)
The length of each side of the new square will be= (x-2)
we can suggest this equation:

4(x-2)=48

We solve this equation:
4(x-2)=48
4x-8=48
4x=48+8
4x=56
x=56/4
x=14

Answer: the original length of each side of the square would be 14 in.