When each side of a square was reduced by 2 metres, the area became 49 square metres. What was the length of a side of the original square?
A7
B5
C9
D4
Answer:
C. 9
Read Explanation:
Let the length of a side of the original square = X
each side of a square was reduced by 2 metres,
New side length = X - 2
The area became 49 square metres
(X - 2)² = 49
X - 2 = √49
= ± 7
X = 7 + 2 OR -7 + 2
X = 9 OR -5
Length is always positive
So X = 9
