Question

6 times a number is 16 less than the square of that number. Find the positive solution.

a) 2
b) 4
c) 6
d) 8

Answer 1

To find the positive solution to the equation '6 times a number is 16 less than the square of that number,' set up the equation 6x = x^2 - 16 and solve for x.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the positive solution to the equation, '6 times a number is 16 less than the square of that number,' we can set up an equation.

Let's let the number be represented by the variable 'x.'

The equation is: 6x = x^2 - 16.

To solve for 'x,' we can rearrange the equation:

x^2 - 6x - 16 = 0.

We can factor the quadratic equation or use the quadratic formula to find the solutions. By factoring, we get (x - 8)(x + 2) = 0. So, x = 8 or x = -2.

Since we're looking for the positive solution, the correct answer is a) 8.