SOLUTION: I have no idea how to solve this and my book has no examples to show me. "What is the minimum product of two numbers whose difference is 4?"

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Question 868394: I have no idea how to solve this and my book has no examples to show me. "What is the minimum product of two numbers whose difference is 4?"
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20063)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I have no idea how to solve this and my book has no examples to show me. "What is the minimum product of two numbers whose difference is 4?"
Let z = one number
Let x = other number
Let y = their product = xz

So y = xz

Since their difference is 4

z - x = 4
    z = 4+x

   y = xz
   y = x(4+x)
   y = 4x+x²
   y = x²+4x

This is a parabola that opens upward:


   
So its lowest point is the minimum value of y.  That is the vertex.

The x-coordinate of the vertex is  =  = -2

Its y-coordinate is found by substituting x = -2 in

   y = x²+4x
   y = (-2)²+4(-2)
   y = 4-8
   y = -4

So the vertex is (-2,-4)



Since y = the product, the minimum product is -4.

Edwin

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