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Question 992141:  a number is subtracted from 20 and from 17.the product of the numbers so obtained is 180.find the original number 
 Answer by ikleyn(52903)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! . 
(20-x)*(17-x) = 180.
 
 
180 = 12*15  is an appropriate factorization of  180  into the product of two numbers that differs in  3. 
 
 
So,  20-x = 15  (greater of these two factors),
 
 
which implies 
 
 
x = 5.
 
 
180 = (-12)*(-15)  is also an appropriate factorization of  180  into the product of two numbers that differs in  3. 
 
 
So,  20-x = -12, 
 
 
which implies 
 
 
x = 32.
 
 
Answer.  Two solutions are  x=5  and  x=32.
 
 
P.S.  Surely,  you can solve the quadratic equation above by using the quadratic formula. 
 
 
 
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