Then the number of seats in each row is x+17 (it exceeds the number of rows by 17).

The total number of seats, 2184 = the number of rows times the number of seats per row, which is x(x+17).

x(x+17)=2184 (subtract 2184 from both sides and multiply what's inside the () by x)

x&2 + 17x -2184 =0 (reverse foil )

(x+56)(x-39)=0 (solve each factor for x

x+56=0 (subtract 56 from both sides) x=-56. Throw it away because there can't be a negative number of rows.

x-39=0 (Add 39 to both sides.) x=39.
There are 39 rows, and 39+17 = 56 seats per row.