We are given:
An even number 'n', multiplied by the next consecutive even number is 168
Solving for n:
From the given statement, we can say that:
n(n+2) = 168 [n multiplied by the next even number 'n+2']
n² + 2n = 168
n² + 2n - 168 = 0 [subtracting 168 from both sides]
We can see that we now have a quadratic equation, solving using splitting the middle term
n² + 14n - 12n - 168 = 0
n(n + 14) -12(n + 14) = 0 [factoring out common terms]
(n-12)(n+14) = 0
Here, we can divide both sides by either (n-12) OR (n+14)
Checking the result in both the cases:
(n + 14) = 0/(n-12) (n-12) = 0/(n+14)
n + 14 = 0 n - 12 = 0
n = -14 n = 12
Both these values are even and since we are not told if the number 'n' is positive or negative, both 12 and -14 are the possible values of n