document.write( "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?
\n" ); document.write( "I set it up as follows:
\n" ); document.write( "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? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #533978 by Fombitz(32388) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First whole number : $\"X\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Next consecutive whole number : $\"X%2B1\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Two things : Subtract the smaller number from the larger number or else the result will be negative.
\n" ); document.write( "Also, check your FOIL method, the constant term should be 1*1=1 not 2.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28X%2B1%29%5E2-X%5E2=31\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28X%5E2%2B2X%2B1%29-X%5E2=31\"$
\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "

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