Question 202878
The difference of two numbers is -8 and the product is 20. The smallest number is?


x-y=-8 ; xy=20.


So, x=y - 8. Using substitution, we have:

(y-8)y=20
y^2-8y-20=0
(y-10)(y+2)=0. 


Your two numbers are -2 and 10. (Note: It doesn't matter whether x or y is -2 or 10, since you are only looking for the smallest number).


Therefore, your answer is -2.


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David