Answer: The side length is tripled.
Step-by-step explanation: Area is length times width, or in the case of a square, s²
If the area is multiplied by 9, (that is 3²) it means the sides are 3 times as long.
16.5² = 272.25
(3)(16.5) = 49.5
49.5² = 2450.25
the same as 272.25 × 9
Triple the side length results in 9 times the area.