Sum of the areas of two squares is 468 m2. If the difference of their perimeters is 24 m, find the sides of the two squares.
Let the sides of the two squares be x m and y m. Therefore, their perimeter will be 4x and 4yrespectively and their areas will be x2 and y2 respectively.
It is given that
4x - 4y = 24
x - y = 6
x = y + 6
Also, x2 + y2 = 468
⇒ (6 + y2) + y2 = 468
⇒ 36 + y2 + 12y + y2 = 468
⇒ 2y2 + 12y + 432 = 0
⇒ y2 + 6y - 216 = 0
⇒ y2 + 18y - 12y - 216 = 0
⇒ y(y +18) -12(y + 18) = 0
⇒ (y + 18)(y - 12) = 0
⇒ y = -18, 12
However, side of a square cannot be negative.
Hence, the sides of the squares are 12 m and (12 + 6) m = 18 m.
