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Question 930496: one number is four more than another. the product of the numbers is 2 less than the smaller number. find the smaller number
Answer by algebrahouse.com(1659)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! x = one number
x + 4 = other number
x(x + 4) = x - 2 {the product of the two numbers is 2 less than the smaller}
x² + 4x = x - 2 {used distributive property}
x² + 3x + 2 = 0 {subtracted x and added 2 to each side}
(x + 2)(x + 1) = 0 {factored into two binomials}
x + 2 = 0 or x + 1 = 0 {set each factor equal to 0}
x = -2 or x = -1 {solved each equation for x}
The smaller numbers are -2 or -1
So, if you want to be picky, the very smallest of those two would be -2
For more help from me, visit: www.algebrahouse.com
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