SOLUTION: What two numbers add to four and one multiplied together equals -12

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Question 1102795: What two numbers add to four and one multiplied together equals -12
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, greenestamps:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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What two numbers add to four and one WHEN multiplied together equal -12?
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system%28x%2By=4%2Cxy=-12%29
Solve this system of equations.

Answer by greenestamps(13198) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Using formal algebra to answer this question is nonsense -- unless it is from a lesson where you are supposed to solve the problem using formal algebraic methods.

It takes FAR less time to find the solution using logical trial and error.

The product of the two numbers is -12, so one of them has to be negative.
The sum is positive, so the positive number has to be larger in absolute value.

So, ignoring the signs for the moment, what pairs of numbers have a product of 12?
12*1
6*2
4*3

The second pair has a difference of 4 -- which is what we need, since the signs are opposite.

And since we want the sum to be positive, the two numbers are 6 and -2.