Math Problem Statement

Two numbers multiply together to give -20 and add together to give -1. What are the two numbers?

Solution

The problem states:

"Two numbers multiply together to give 20-20 and add together to give 1-1. What are the two numbers?"

Let's solve this step by step.

We need to find two numbers, say xx and yy, that satisfy:

  1. x×y=20x \times y = -20
  2. x+y=1x + y = -1

To find these numbers, we can use the following approach:

Step 1: Express one variable in terms of the other

From the second equation, we can express yy in terms of xx: y=1xy = -1 - x

Step 2: Substitute into the first equation

Now, substitute this expression for yy into the first equation: x×(1x)=20x \times (-1 - x) = -20 Simplify: xx2=20-x - x^2 = -20 Rearrange this to get a quadratic equation: x2+x20=0x^2 + x - 20 = 0

Step 3: Solve the quadratic equation

Now, we solve the quadratic equation x2+x20=0x^2 + x - 20 = 0. We can use the quadratic formula: x=b±b24ac2ax = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} For this equation, a=1a = 1, b=1b = 1, and c=20c = -20.

Substitute these values into the quadratic formula: x=1±124(1)(20)2(1)x = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{1^2 - 4(1)(-20)}}{2(1)} x=1±1+802x = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{1 + 80}}{2} x=1±812x = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{81}}{2} x=1±92x = \frac{-1 \pm 9}{2}

Step 4: Calculate the two solutions

The two possible values for xx are:

  1. x=1+92=82=4x = \frac{-1 + 9}{2} = \frac{8}{2} = 4
  2. x=192=102=5x = \frac{-1 - 9}{2} = \frac{-10}{2} = -5

Step 5: Find the corresponding values for yy

For x=4x = 4, y=14=5y = -1 - 4 = -5. For x=5x = -5, y=1(5)=4y = -1 - (-5) = 4.

Thus, the two numbers are 44 and 5-5.

Would you like more details or have any other questions?

Here are 5 related questions to expand on this topic:

  1. How would you solve a quadratic equation by factoring?
  2. Can you think of another pair of numbers that multiply to a different negative product but add to 1-1?
  3. How do you use the discriminant to determine the number of real solutions for a quadratic equation?
  4. What are the steps to complete the square for solving quadratic equations?
  5. How can you apply the quadratic formula to solve more complex equations?

Tip: Always check your solutions by substituting them back into the original equations!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Quadratic Equations
Factoring

Formulas

Quadratic Formula: x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / 2a

Theorems

Quadratic Formula

Suitable Grade Level

Grade 8-10