Question

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?

• A. 7
• B. 5
• C. 9
• D. 4

Answer 1

Answer:

C. 9

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