<PRE><B>Question 88508</B>
Let x=the number
4 less than the number is x-4

the product of the number and 4 less than the number is x(x-4) and we are told that this equals 96, so---

x(x-4)=96  get rid of parens

x^2-4x=96  subtract 96 from both sides

x^2-4x-96=0  quadratic in standard form  and it has factors

(x-12)(x+8)=0

x=12 
and
x=-8
CK for x=12

12(12-4)=96

12*8=96
96=96-----------ok

Ck for x=-8

-8(-8-4)=96

(-8)(-12)=96

96=96

So both values for x satisfy the problem


Hope this helps----ptaylor

</PRE>