The product of two consecutive odd whole numbers is 143. Find the numbers. There is no solution. You can try for one, but the sum of any two ODD numbers must be EVEN, but 143 is ODD! You can try with n + (n+2) = 143 n + n + 2 = 143 2n + 2 = 143 2n = 131 n = 65.5, which is NOT an integer, and therefore shows there is no solution. Edwin
The product of two consecutive odd whole numbers is 143. Find the numbers.
What is asked in the problem?
Find the numbers
Given:
the product of two consecutive odd whole number is 143
Representation
Let n = the first odd whole number
n+2 = the second odd whole number
Equation:
n(n+2) = 143
n^2 + 2n = 143
n^2 + 2n - 143 = 0
Factor
n^2 + 2n + 1 = 143 + 1
(n + 1)^2 = 144
n + 1 = +-12
n = 11 n= -13
n = -13 is not a solution because -13 is not a whole number
therefore the first odd whole number is 11
The second odd whole number is n + 2 = 11 + 2 = 13