SOLUTION: I have a very good idea of how to set up the problem, but I know that I'm missing something. The problem is "The difference of the squares of two consecutive whole numbers is 31.
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Question 884075: I have a very good idea of how to set up the problem, but I know that I'm missing something. The problem is "The difference of the squares of two consecutive whole numbers is 31. What is the smaller number?
I set it up as follows:
x^2-X^2-2x-2=31. But I know that this yields an incorrect result, could you perhaps point me in the right direction? Found 2 solutions by Fombitz, richwmiller:Answer by Fombitz(32388) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! First whole number :
Next consecutive whole number :
Two things : Subtract the smaller number from the larger number or else the result will be negative.
Also, check your FOIL method, the constant term should be 1*1=1 not 2.
