If the perimeter of a square is 48, what is the length of one side?

To determine the length of one side of a square when given the perimeter, you can use the formula for the perimeter of a square, which is:

[ \text{Perimeter} = 4 \times \text{side length} ]

In this case, we know that the perimeter of the square is 48. We can set up the equation:

[ 4 \times \text{side length} = 48 ]

To find the side length, divide both sides of the equation by 4:

[ \text{side length} = \frac{48}{4} ]

Calculating this gives:

[ \text{side length} = 12 ]

Therefore, the length of one side of the square is 12, making it the correct answer. This method relies on understanding that all sides of a square are equal and that the perimeter is the total length around the square. Other possible answers do not satisfy the conditions given for the perimeter of 48, since they would suggest incorrect side lengths when substituted back into the perimeter formula.