document.write( "Question 519541: One number is 12 less than another number. Their product is -32. What is the least value the smaller number could be? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #345674 by oberobic(2304) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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x*y = -32
\n" ); document.write( "x = y-12
\n" ); document.write( "substitute
\n" ); document.write( "(y-12)*y = -32
\n" ); document.write( "y^2 -12y = -32
\n" ); document.write( "y^2 -12y + 32 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "factor
\n" ); document.write( "(y-4)(y-8) = 0
\n" ); document.write( "so
\n" ); document.write( "y=4 or y=8
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "If y = 4, then x = 4-12 = -8
\n" ); document.write( "If y = 8, then x = 8-12 = -4
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "The question asks for the least value the smaller number could be: -8. \n" ); document.write( "

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