The perimeter of the square was increased by 40%, then the perimeter of the resulting square

The perimeter of the square was increased by 40%, then the perimeter of the resulting square was reduced by 40%. Which of the three squares has the smallest area?

Let us denote the value of the original perimeter through P, then the value of the perimeter increased by 40% will be equal to:

P1 = P + 0.4 * P = 1.4 * P.

Determine the size of the perimeter P1 reduced by 40%.

P2 = P1 – 0.4 * P1 = 0.6 * P1 = 0.6 * 1.4 * P = 0.84 * P.

P2 <P

P2 <P1

It turns out that the perimeter of the last square is the smallest, therefore, the area of the last square will be the smallest.

Answer: The third square has the smallest area.