Two squares have areas adding up to 468 sq m, and their perimeters differ by 24 m. The side of the smaller square (in m) is:
Find it.

Question

Two squares have areas adding up to 468 sq m, and their perimeters differ by 24 m. The side of the smaller square (in m) is: Find it.

Accepted Answer

12. Perimeter difference: 4(a-b)=24 so a-b=6, a=b+6. Areas: a^2+b^2=468, (b+6)^2+b^2=468, 2b^2+12b-432=0, b^2+6b-216=0, (b+18)(b-12)=0. b = 12.

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