Question

The combined area of two squares is 250 square feet. Each side of one square is three times as long as a side of the other square. What would be the lengths of the sides of each square.

Answer 1

A_1 + A_2 = 250

A_1 = x^2
A_2 = (3x)^2

x^2 + (3x)^2 = 250

i leave the rest to you :)

Answer 2

draw a picture



area of the small square is A = x^2

Area of the large square is A = (3x)^2

A = 9x^2

the sum of the areas is 250

250 = x^2 + 9x^2

250 = 10x^2

25 = x^2

x = 5

small square has side length 5 ft and large 15ft