The inner square has side length \(c=\sqrt{53}\,\text{cm}\). The outer square has area \(81\,\text{cm}^2\). Each corner is a right triangle with legs \(a\) and \(b\), where \(a<b\).
Let \(x=a\). Write a quadratic equation in \(x\), factor it, and find \(a\) and \(b\) from the factors.

Hints
- What side length corresponds to the area of the outer square?
- How could you write the other leg in terms of \(x\)?
- Which length relationship works in each of the corner triangles?
Solution
1. The outer square has side length \(9\,\text{cm}\), so \(a+b=9\).
2. The inner-square side is a corner triangle's hypotenuse, giving \(a^2+b^2=53\).
3. Set \(b=9-a\): \(a^2+(9-a)^2=53\), which reduces to \(a^2-9a+14=0\).
4. Factor: \((a-2)(a-7)=0\), so the possible leg lengths are \(2\,\text{cm}\) and \(7\,\text{cm}\).
5. Because \(a<b\), \(a=2\,\text{cm}\) and \(b=7\,\text{cm}\).
Answer
Quadratic: \(x^2-9x+14=0\)
Factorization: \((x-2)(x-7)=0\)
Labeled lengths: \(a=2\,\text{cm}\), \(b=7\,\text{cm}\).