Question

the dimensions of a square are altered so that 8 inches is added to one side while 3 inches is subtracted from the other. the area of the resulting rectangle is 126 in^2. what was the original side length of the square

Answer 1

Let

x--------> original length side of a square

we know that

area rectangle=length*width

area=126 in²

length=(x+8)

width=(x-3)

so

126=(x+8)*(x-3)------> x²-3x+8x-24=126----> x²+5x-150=0

using  a graph tool------> to resolve the second order equation

see the attached figure

the solution is

x=10 in

the answer is

the original length side of a square is 10 in