If one side of a square is increased by 2 inches and an adjacent side is decreased by 2 inches, the area of the resulting rectangle is 32 square inches. Find the length of one side of the square.

Answer 1

(x+2)(x-2) = 32
x^2 - 4 = 32
x^2 = 36
x = ±6 , but x is a side of a square so it must be positive

x = 6

The original square was 6 by 6
the new square is 4 by 8

and 4(8) = 32, answer is correct