Answer:
The answer to your question is initial length = 10 ft final length = 14 ft
Step-by-step explanation:
Data
length = s
Area = 196
Equation
(s + 4)² = 196
Expand
s² + 8s + 16 = 196
Solve for s
s² + 8s + 16 - 196 = 0
s² + 8s - 180 = 0
Factor
(s + 18)(s - 10) = 0
Find s₁ and s₂
s₁ + 18 = 0 s₂ - 10 = 0
s₁ = -18 s₂ = 10
Conclusion
The initial length of a side was 10 ft, because the are no negative lengths -18 is discarded.
