Question

A square poster has sides measuring 2 feet less than the sides of a square sign. If the difference between their areas is 32 square feet. find the lengths of the sides of the poster and the sign.

Answer 1

\[x^2-(x-2)^2=32\] solve for x

Answer 2

careful with distributive law
\[x^2-(x^2-4x+4)=32\]
\[4x-4=32\]
\[4x=36\]
\[x=9\]

Answer 3

x^2 - (x^2 - 4x + 4) = 35
4x - 4 = 35
4x = 36
==> x = 9