198k views
1 vote
Product -12 and sum -1 what are the factors

User Tdel
by
8.0k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

the two numbers are 3 and -4

Explanation:

Product: xy = -12, or x = -12/y

Sum: x + y = -1, or -12/y + y = -1

Let's multiply all three terms by y to eliminate the fractional terms:

-12 + y^2 = -y, or

y^2 + y - 12 = 0

This factors into (y + 4)(y - 3) = 0, yielding y = -4 and y = 3.

Earlier we found that x = -12/y. Here, if we choose y = -4, x = -12/(-4) = 3

and so the two numbers are 3 and -4. Note that 3(-4) = -12, as required, and that 3 - 4 = -1, also as required.

User Javram
by
8.5k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories