SOLUTION: I have a very good idea of how to set up the problem, but I know that I'm missing something. The problem is "The difference of the squares of two consecutive whole numbers is 31.

Question 884075: I have a very good idea of how to set up the problem, but I know that I'm missing something. The problem is "The difference of the squares of two consecutive whole numbers is 31. What is the smaller number?
I set it up as follows:
x^2-X^2-2x-2=31. But I know that this yields an incorrect result, could you perhaps point me in the right direction?
Found 2 solutions by Fombitz, richwmiller:
Answer by Fombitz(32388) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First whole number :
Next consecutive whole number :
Two things : Subtract the smaller number from the larger number or else the result will be negative.
Also, check your FOIL method, the constant term should be 1*1=1 not 2.

Answer by richwmiller(17219) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let x be the first whole number
x^2=x^2
let x+1 be the next whole number
(x+1)^2=x^2+2x+1

(x+1)^2-x^2=31
x^2+2x+1-x^2=31
2x+1=31
2x=30
x=15
x+1=16
check
16^2=256
15^2=225
256-225=31
ok

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