Zach S.
asked • 05/09/21The product of a number and 6 less than the number is 40. Find the number.
It wants me to make an equation to solve this problem, but for this problem, I don't need to as the numbers are 10 and 4. I know that one of these numbers needs to negative, but I don't know how to know which one should be negative or not. It doesn't make sense to me as a negative and a positive equals a negative. Maybe I am looking at this problem wrong?
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1 Expert Answer
Sunny X. answered • 05/09/21
Tutor
New to Wyzant
USC Graduate with Perfect Math Scores
Always setup an equation as a visual so you can see it in front of you.
X * (X-6) = 40
X^2 -6X -40 = 0
Factor this and you get (X + 4)(X - 10) = 0
Therefore X = -4, 10
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Michael M.
Right, -4 and -10 also multiply to 40 and are 6 apart05/10/21