Question

The length of each side of a square is

increased by 6 inches, so the perimeter
is now 36 inches. Write and solve an
equation to find the original length of
each side of the square.

Answer 1

4(s+6)=36

s=3

Explanation:

All sides of a square are equal.

There are 4 sides of a square

Let 's' stand for side length

4(s+6)=36

Use the distributive property

4s+24=36

subtract both sides by 24

4s=12

Divide both sides by 12

s=3

Answer 2

Equation: 4x + 24 = 36

solution: x = 3

Explanation:

let x be the length of the square’s side

this statement “The length of each side of a square is increased by 6 inches, so the perimeter is now 36 inches” means 4×(x + 6) = 36

4×(x + 6) = 36 ⇔ 4x + 24 = 36

⇔ 4x = 12

⇔ x = 3