Question

5
select the correct answer.
a square field was enlarged by adding 5 feet to the length and width of the original field. if the area of the enlarged field is 576 square feet, what was the side length of the original field?
a. 29 feet
b. 19 feet
c. 6 feet
d. 36 feet

Explanation:

Step1: Define original side length

Let original side = $x$ feet. Enlarged side = $x + 5$ feet.

Step2: Set up area equation

Area of enlarged square: $(x + 5)^2 = 576$

Step3: Solve for $x$

Take square root: $x + 5 = \sqrt{576} = 24$ → $x = 24 - 5 = 19$ feet.

Answer:

B. 19 feet