SOLUTION: The product of two consecutive odd negative integers is 143. Find the integers. The book gives a hint: if one integer is x, the next consecutive odd integer is x+2

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Question 353384: The product of two consecutive odd negative integers is 143. Find the integers.
The book gives a hint: if one integer is x, the next consecutive odd integer is x+2
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The product of two consecutive odd negative integers is 143. Find the integers.
The book gives a hint: if one integer is x, the next consecutive odd integer is x+2.
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Your "book" should know better.
Odd numbers should always be represented as one more
than or one less than an even number.
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1st: 2x+1
2nd: 2x+3
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Equation:
(2x+1)(2x+3) = 143
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4x^2 + 8x + 3 = 143
4x^2 + 8x = 140
x^2 + 2x = 35
x^2 + 2x - 35 = 0
(x+7)(x-5) = 0
x = -7 or x = 5
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If x = -7
1st: 2x+1 = -13
2nd: 2x+3 = -11
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If x = 5
1st: 2x+1 = 11
2nd: 2x+3 = 13
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Note:
If you use x and x+2 to represent the consecutive odd numbers you get:
Equation:
x(x+1) = 143
x^2+x = 143
x^2+x-143 = 0
x = 11.4687 or x = -12.4687
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These are not odd integers.
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Cheers,
Stan H.