The side of a square exceeds the side of another square by 3 cm and the sum of the areas of the two squares is 225 cm2 . Find the sum of the perimeter (in cm) of both squares.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. 84.
Let smaller side = x → larger = x + 3
Total area: x² + (x + 3)² = 225
→ x² + x² + 6x + 9 = 225
→ 2x² + 6x - 216 = 0
→ x² + 3x - 108 = 0
→ (x + 12)(x - 9) = 0 → x = 9
Perimeters: 4×9 + 4×12 = 36 + 48 = 84 cm