Let x be the length of each side of the original garden.
The new length of each side of the expanded garden is x + 7.
The area of the expanded garden is (x + 7) ^ 2 = 144.
Expanding the squared term, we get x ^ 2 + 14x + 49 = 144.
Subtracting 144 from both sides, we get x ^ 2 + 14x - 95 = 0.
Factoring the quadratic equation, we get (x - 5)(x + 19) = 0.
Setting each factor to zero and solving, we find x = 5 or x = -19.
Since lengths cannot be negative, the length of each side of the original garden is 5 m. Answer: \boxed{5 \, \text{m}}.
Tasha is planning an expansion of a square flower garden in a city park. If each side of the original garden is increased by 7 m, the new total area of the garden will be 144 m². Find the length of each side of the original garden. (1 point) Responses 19 m 19 m 12 m 12 m 5 m 5 m m
1 answer