Problema Solution
the sum of the squares of two consecutive positive integers is 113. Find the two integers.
Answer provided by our tutors
Let X = the first integer
Then x+1 is the second integer
x^2 + (x+1)^2 = 113
Expanding the left-hand expression and moving the 113 to the left side:
x^2 + x^2 + 2x + 1 - 113 = 0
2x^2 + 2x - 112 = 0
Simplfying the left side:
x^2 + x - 56 = 0
Factoring:
(x + 8)(x - 7) = 0
So the first integer is 7 or -8
and the second integer is either 8 or -7