Joe goodnuff had been eating on a square card table until he bought a new rectangular dining table. the new table is 2ft longer and 1ft wider then the card table it has an area of 24.75ft. how long was a side of his old square card table?
explain this to me don't just give me a answer!

The average hourly earnings for a construction worker is projected to be $24.50 in 2012. jason wants to join the construction work force after he graduates in 2012. his friend tells him that average hourly earnings for construction workers will rise by 2% from 2009 to 2012. based on the data below, assuming that the projected hourly earnings are correct, is jason’s friend’s statement accurate? construction industry - average hourly earnings, 2000-2009 a. his friend’s statement is accurate. the average hourly earnings will increase by 2%. b. his friend’s statement is not accurate. the percent increase will be more than 2% c. his friend’s statement is not accurate. the percent increase will be less than 2% d. his friend’s statement is not accurate. the average hourly earnings will decrease

Which expression gives the area of the triangle shown below

When y’all answer can y’all explain too !