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What two numbers multiply by -8 and adds up to 15?

1 Answer

1 vote

Answer:

x = 8, y = -1

x = -1, y = 8

Explanation:

To find two numbers that multiply to -8 and add up to 15, you can set up a system of equations. Let's call the two numbers x and y:

x * y = -8

x + y = 15

You can solve this system of equations using substitution or elimination. Here's how to use elimination:

From equation (2), you can express one variable in terms of the other:

x = 15 - y

Now, substitute this expression for x into equation (1):

(15 - y) * y = -8

Expand and rearrange:

15y - y^2 = -8

Now, move all terms to one side of the equation:

y^2 - 15y - 8 = 0

This is a quadratic equation. You can solve it using the quadratic formula:

y = [ -b ± √(b² - 4ac) ] / 2a

In this case, a = 1, b = -15, and c = -8. Plug these values into the formula:

y = [ 15 ± √((-15)² - 4(1)(-8)) ] / 2(1)

y = [ 15 ± √(225 + 32) ] / 2

y = [ 15 ± √257 ] / 2

So, you have two possible values for y:

y = (15 + √257) / 2

y = (15 - √257) / 2

Now, you can find the corresponding values for x by using the equation x = 15 - y for each of these y values:

x = 15 - (15 + √257) / 2

x = 15 - (15 - √257) / 2

Simplify each of these expressions to find the corresponding values of x.

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