X=original length of each side of the square. perimeter: sum of all sides=4(length of the side) The length of each side of the new square will be= (x-2) we can suggest this equation:
4(x-2)=48
We solve this equation: 4(x-2)=48 4x-8=48 4x=48+8 4x=56 x=56/4 x=14
Answer: the original length of each side of the square would be 14 in.
