If the measure of one side of a square is increased by 2 centimeters and the measure of the adjacent side is decreased by 2 centimeters, the area of the resulting rectangle is 32 square centimeters. How do you find the measure of one side of the square?

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Answer 1 · 2016-10-27T02:08:09

Let the initial side length of the square be #x#. Then the new lengths are #x + 2# and #x- 2#.

#(x + 2)(x - 2) = 32#

#x^2 + 2x - 2x - 4 = 32#

#x^2 - 4 = 32#

#x^2 = 36#

#x = 6#

Hence, the side of the square measured #6# centimetres.

Hopefully this helps!