SOLUTION: 1. The sum of the squares of two consecutive positive numbers is 41. What is the smaller number?

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Question 379605: 1. The sum of the squares of two consecutive positive numbers is 41. What is the smaller number?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
N%5E2%2B%28N%2B1%29%5E2=41
N%5E2%2BN%5E2%2B2N%2B1=41
2N%5E2%2B2N=40
N%5E2%2BN-20=0
%28N%2B5%29%28N-4%29=0
Two solutions:
N%2B5=0
N=-5
.
.
.
N-4=0
N=4
.
.
.
Since they integers are positive, the integers are 4 and 5.
The smaller number is 4.