<PRE><B>Question 534983</B>
Call the number of rows x&lt;P&gt;
Then the number of seats in each row is x+17 (it exceeds the number of rows by 17).&lt;P&gt;
The total number of seats, 2184 = the number of rows times the number of seats per row, which is x(x+17).&lt;P&gt;
x(x+17)=2184 (subtract 2184 from both sides and multiply what&#39;s inside the () by x)&lt;P&gt;

x&amp;2 + 17x -2184 =0  (reverse foil )&lt;P&gt;
(x+56)(x-39)=0  (solve each factor for x&lt;P&gt;
x+56=0  (subtract 56 from both sides)  x=-56.  Throw it away because there can&#39;t be a negative number of rows.&lt;P&gt;
x-39=0  (Add 39 to both sides.)  x=39.

There are 39 rows, and 39+17 = 56 seats per row.</PRE>