How do you find the two numbers by using the factoring method, if one number is seven more than the other and the product of two positive numbers is 120?

1 Answer
Dec 1, 2014

Let xx be the smaller number
Let yy be the larger number.

y = x + 7y=x+7

From the statement "the product of two positive numbers is 120", Assume x > 0, y > 0x>0,y>0

x(x + 7) = 120x(x+7)=120

=> x^2 + 7x = 120x2+7x=120

=> x^2 + 7x - 120 = 0x2+7x120=0

=> (x - 8)(x + 15) = 0(x8)(x+15)=0

=> x = 8, x = -15x=8,x=15

But xx should be positive.

x = 8, y = 15x=8,y=15