Question

Please help me solve this question with working steps,thanks!!​

Answer 1

Answer:

  x = 20%

Step-by-step explanation:

The area is the product of side lengths. If the original side is "a", then the one increased by 25% is ...

  a + 0.25·a = 1.25a

The one decreased by x is ...

  a -x·a = a(1 -x)

We want the area of the square to be the same as that of the rectangle, so we write an equation that says that, then solve for x.

  square area = rectangle area

  a^2 = (1.25a)(a)(1-x)

  1 = 1.25 -1.25x . . . . divide by a^2, eliminate parentheses

  1.25x = 0.25 . . . . . add 1.25x -1

  x = 0.25/1.25 = 0.20

  x = 20% . . . . . . expressed as a percentage