Question

The product of two consecutive odd integers that are positive is 323.

a. Write an equation to find the integers.

b. Find the two integers.

Answer 1

See below in bold.

Explanation:

Let the 2 integers be n and n + 2 ( as consecutive odd numbers ascend by 2).

(a). So we have the equation:

n(n + 2) = 323.

(b). n^2 + 2n = 323

n^2 + 2n - 323 = 0

(n + 19 )( n - 17 )

n = `17 ( we ignore the negative).

But 17 * 19 = 323 so

the 2 numbers are 17 and 19.