SOLUTION: c The product of the numbers is 2 less than the lesser number. Find the lesser number. I got x+x+4=2x+4-2...this did not calculate out to get the same answer that the back of m

Question 761189: c The product of the numbers is 2 less than the lesser number. Find the lesser number.
I got x+x+4=2x+4-2...this did not calculate out to get the same answer that the back of my book has of -2 or -1. Please help! Thanks!
Answer by Cromlix(4381) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
One number is 4 greater than another.
x and x + 4
The product
x(x + 4)
is 2 less than the lesser number.
x - 2
x(x + 4) = x - 2
x^2 + 4x = x - 2
Collect like terms
x^2 + 4x - x + 2 = 0
x^2 + 3x + 2 = 0
(x + 2)(x + 1) = 0
So, x = -1 or -2
Hope this helps.
:-)

RELATED QUESTIONS
The lesser of two numbers is 2 less than the greater number. If 10 is subtracted from six (answered by mananth)

The sum of 2 numbers is 62. Two times the lesser number is 4 more than the greatest... (answered by checkley79)

If positive number is 5 less than another positive number. Six times lesser number minus... (answered by JulietG)

I have been out of schol for too long. I have the word problem: The greater of two... (answered by jim_thompson5910)

Twice the greater of two consecutive odd numbers is 13 less than three times the lesser.... (answered by algebrahouse.com,jorel1380)

The greater of two numbers is 6 times the lesser. The greater number is 25 more than the... (answered by ikleyn)

Two numbers differ by 40 when each is increased by 8 the bigger number is thrice lesser... (answered by dkppathak,MathTherapy)