Question 74398
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The product of two consecutive odd whole numbers is 143. Find the numbers.

What is asked in the problem?

      Find the numbers


Given:
 the product of two consecutive odd whole number is 143



Representation
Let n = the first odd whole number
   n+2 = the second odd whole number

Equation:
n(n+2) = 143
 n^2 + 2n = 143
 n^2 + 2n - 143 = 0

Factor
n^2 + 2n + 1 = 143 + 1
(n + 1)^2 = 144
   n + 1 = +-12
     n = 11    n= -13

n = -13 is not a solution because -13 is not a whole number

therefore the first odd whole number is 11 

The second odd whole number is n + 2 = 11 + 2 = 13