If each side of a square patio is increased by 4 feet, the area of the patio would be 196 square feet. Solve the equation (s+4) 2=196 for s to find the length of a side of the patio

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.