document.write( "Question 440838: I need to know how to set up this problem.\r
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document.write( "The sum of two numbers is -17. Their product is 66. Find the numbers. \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #304431 by htmentor(1343)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! Let x, y be the two numbers. \n" ); document.write( "Given: \n" ); document.write( "x + y = -17 \n" ); document.write( "x*y = 66 \n" ); document.write( "From the 2nd equation, y = 66/x \n" ); document.write( "Substitute this value for y in the 1st equation: \n" ); document.write( "x + 66/x = -17 \n" ); document.write( "Multiply through by x: \n" ); document.write( "x^2 + 66 = -17x -> x^2 + 17x + 66 = 0 \n" ); document.write( "Solve for x using the quadratic formula: \n" ); document.write( "x = (-17 +- sqrt(17^2 - 264))/2 -> x = (-17 +- 5)/2 \n" ); document.write( "This gives x = -11, -6 \n" ); document.write( "Which means y = -6, -11 \n" ); document.write( "So the two numbers are: -6, -11 \n" ); document.write( " |