Calculate Square Side Length: Finding x When Area = 256

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

• Step 1: Apply the area formula $A = s^2$.
• Step 2: Set the given area equal to the formula: $256 = s^2$.
• Step 3: Solve for $s$ by taking the square root of both sides.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: The formula for the area of a square is given by:

$A = s^2$

where $A$ is the area and $s$ is the side length. Given $A = 256$, we have:

$256 = s^2$

Step 2: To find $s$, take the square root of 256:

$s = \sqrt{256}$

Step 3: Calculate the square root:

$\sqrt{256} = 16$

Thus, the length of each side of the square is $16$.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is:

$16$

Checking against the given answer choices, our result corresponds to choice $\#2$: $16$.