SOLUTION: Ryan is 4 years younger than Michael. The product of their ages is 1020 years. What are both ages?

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Question 534449: Ryan is 4 years younger than Michael. The product of their ages is 1020 years.
What are both ages?
Answer by fcabanski(1391) About Me  (Show Source):
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Michael is X years old.


Ryan is X-4 years old.


The product of their ages is 1020:


x(x-4)=1020 multiply both terms inside () by x:


x^2-4x=1020 (subtract 1020 from both sides):


x^2 - 4x -1020 =0 (factor with reverse foil)


(x + 30)(x - 34) (set each = 0 and solve):


x+30=0 ---> x=-30 age can't be negative, so this isn't the answer.


x-34=0 ---> x=34