Question

USE THE SQUARE ROOT PROPERTY!!!!!

the sides of a square are reduced by 2 inches. the new area is 20 square inches. Set up and solve an equation to find the original length of the square

Answer 1

Explanation:

x = original length of one side

(x-2)² = 20 inches²

x-2 = ±√20 = ±2√5

x = 2±2√5

2-2√5 is an extraneous solution,

so x = 2±2√5 ≈ 6.47 inches