SOLUTION: I am trying to figure out how to solve a problem. Its a word problem. It is--- The difference of the squares of two consecutive odd positive integers is 40. find the integers. I

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Question 391254: I am trying to figure out how to solve a problem. Its a word problem. It is---
The difference of the squares of two consecutive odd positive integers is 40. find the integers. I have tried X^2-(X^2+2)=40 but cant get it right. Am i even close?
Answer by richard1234(7193) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The equation you have becomes -2 = 40, by cancelling the x^2.

Instead, it should look something like

x%5E2+-+%28x-2%29%5E2+=+40 By difference of two squares this is equivalent to

%282x-2%29%282%29+=+40

2x+-+2+=+20

x+=+11, therefore the two integers are 11 and 9. It is easy to check that

11%5E2+-+9%5E2+=+40