SOLUTION: The sum of the squares of two consecutive positive number is 61. What is the smaller?

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Question 284805: The sum of the squares of two consecutive positive number is 61. What is the smaller?
Answer by JBarnum(2146) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
two consecutive numbers are x and x+1
so The sum of the squares of two consecutive positive numbers is 61 means
%28x%29%5E2%2B%28x%2B1%29%5E2=61
x%5E2%2Bx%5E2%2B2x%2B1=61
2x%5E2%2B2x-60=0
2%28x%5E2%2Bx-30%29=0
2%28x-5%29%28x%2B6%29=0
x=5 or x=-6