Question

Tasha is planning an expansion of a square flower garden in a city park. If each side of the original garden is increased by 7 m, the new total area of the garden will be 144 m². Find the length of each side of the original garden.

Answer 1

19 m
12 m
5 m
√5 m

Answer 2

x = length of original side of garden

so x + 7 is new length and the area = 144 = (x + 7)^2

+- 12 = x + 7

+- 12 - 7 = x

x = 5 or - 17 we can not have a length negative so the solution is 5

Answer 3

For a square,
A=Length x Height
A=(x+7)(x+7)=144
(x+7)(x+7)=144

(x^(2)+14x+49)=144

x^(2)+14x+49=144

x^(2)+14x-95=0

(x+19)(x-5)=0

x=-19,5
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We can't have -19, so the answer is 5