SOLUTION: a positive real number is 4 less than another. If the sum of the squares of the two numbers is 72, then find the numbers.

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Question 1163433: a positive real number is 4 less than another. If the sum of the squares of the two numbers is 72, then find the numbers.
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, ikleyn:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39623)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!






-----------------WRONG.
(the rest, removed)
Answer by ikleyn(52835)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

            The solution by @josgarithmetic has an error.

            I came to bring a correct solution. 


Let x be the smaller number; then the greater number is (x+4).


You have this equation

    x^2 + (x+4)^2 = 72.


Simplify and solve using the quadratic formula

    x^2 + x^2 + 8x + 16 = 72

    2x^2 + 8x - 56 = 0

    x^2  + 4x - 28 = 0

     =  =  =  = .


So, the numbers are   =   and   = .      ANSWER

Solved and completed.



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