How can I find the unknown side lengths when given the area or circumference of a figure?

Set up the area/circumference equations using x as the unknown variable. Then, solve for that variable and apply the correct unit.

Step-by-step explanation:

For example,

Find the side length of a square with an area of 49 square centimeters.

Since , i can write

+25 = x

step-by-step explanation:

here x is the hypotenuse of a right triangle whose legs are 7 and 24.   by the pythagorean theorem, 7² + 24² must equal x²:

x² = 49 + 576 = 625.   thus, x = +√625 = +25 = x

we have three similar triangles, because each has a right angle and shares an angle.   let's write the angles in order: opposite to short leg, long leg, hypotenuse.

cab similar to bad similar to cbd

or as ratios,

ca: ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

we also know

ac = ad + cd

(ad+cd): ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

(ad+cd)/cb=cb/cd

we have cb=6, ad=5 and seek x=cd.

we reject the negative root and conclude x=4

answer: 4