Question

Two consecutive even whole numbers have a product of 360. What is the smaller of the

two number?

Answer 1

18

Explanation:

To find this answer you would need to use the formula x(x+2) = 360 where x is an even number. This is the formula because any number plus 2 equals the next consecutive, even whole number. If we look at the factors of 360 we see the factors-

360: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 24, 30, 36, 40, 45, 60, 72, 90, 120, 180, and 360.

If we look through all of the factors 18 and 20 are the only ones with a 2 number difference.

Next, if we plug 18 into the equation:

x(x+2) =360

18(18+2) = 360

324+36 = 360

360 = 360

Since the equation works, x = 18.