Q:

If each side of a square patio is increased by 4 feet, the area of the patio would be 196 square feet. Solve the equation (s+4)2=196 for s to find the length of a side of the patio.

Accepted Solution

A:
Answer:The answer to your question is initial length = 10 ft final length = 14 ftStep-by-step explanation:Datalength = sArea = 196Equation                         (s + 4)² = 196Expand                         s² + 8s + 16 = 196Solve for s                         s² + 8s + 16 - 196 = 0                         s² + 8s - 180 = 0Factor                         (s + 18)(s - 10) = 0Find s₁ and s₂                          s₁ + 18 = 0           s₂ - 10 = 0                          s₁ = -18                s₂ = 10                      ConclusionThe initial length of a side was 10 ft, because the are no negative lengths -18 is discarded.