SOLUTION: The difference of two positive numbers is six. Their product is 223 less than the sum of their squares. What are the two numbers?

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons  -> Quadratic Equation Lesson -> SOLUTION: The difference of two positive numbers is six. Their product is 223 less than the sum of their squares. What are the two numbers?       Log On


   



Question 1111308: The difference of two positive numbers is six. Their product is 223 less than the sum of their squares. What are the two numbers?

Found 3 solutions by josgarithmetic, ikleyn, TeachMath:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
system%28abs%28x-y%29=6%2Cxy=x%5E2%2By%5E2-223%29

Starting steps could be %28y-x%29%5E2=36
y%5E2-2xy%2Bx%5E2=36
x%5E2%2By%5E2=2xy%2B36
and this can be substituted into the other equation...



11 and 17

Answer by ikleyn(52779) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
Let x be the larger number, y be the lesser number.


Then

x - y = 6,                (1)
xy = x^2 + y^2 - 223.     (2)


Square equation (1) (both sides).  Keep equation (2) as is:

x^2 - 2xy + y^2 =  36,    (3)
x^2 - xy  + y^2 = 223     (4)    (<<<---=== it is transformed eq(2) )

----------------------------------Subtract eq(3) from eq(4). You will get

      xy        = 187.


Now you have system of two equations

x - y =   6,
xy    = 187.


It is reduced to the quadratic equation

x*(x-6) = 187

x^2 -6x - 187 = 0

x%5B1%2C2%5D = %286+%2B-+sqrt%2836+%2B+4%2A187%29%29%2F2 = %286+%2B-+28%29%2F2,

x%5B1%5D = %286%2B28%29%2F2 = 17,  y%5B1%5D = 11.

x%5B2%5D = %286-28%29%2F2 = -11,  y%5B2%5D = -17.


Answer.  There are TWO solutions:   a) (x,y) = (17,11);  b) (x,y) = (-11,-17).      

         Since the problem asks about positive numbers, only first pair satisfies this requirement.

Solved.

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For your safety,  Ignore writing by  @josgarithmetic,  since it leads you to   "N O W H E R E".


Answer by TeachMath(96) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let larger number be N, which makes the smaller number: N - 6
Then N(N – 6) = N^2 + (N – 6)^2 – 223
Solve this to get: N, or larger number = 17
Smaller number: 17 – 6, or 11
That's all!!