How do I find two integers whose sum is -8 and product is -48?

2 Answers
Mar 4, 2018

4 and -12

Explanation:

You've got those two equations:
a*b=-48
a+b=-8
From the second equation we get a=-8-b, and then we put -8-b instead of 'a' in the first equation:
(-8-b)*b=-48
-8b-b^2=-48
b^2+8b-48=0
D=64+4*48=256=16^2>0
b=(-8+16)/(2)=4 or b=(-8-16)/(2)=-12
From here as a=-8-b, then if b=4, then a=-8-4=-12 and if b=-12, then a=-8-(-12)=4 So the numbers are 4 and -12.

Mar 4, 2018

-12" and "4

Explanation:

"since the product is negative then one number must be"
"positive and the other negative"

"let the numbers be "x" and "y" then"

x+y=-8to(1)

xy=-48to(2)

"from equation "(1)color(white)(x)y=-8-xto(3)

"substitute "y=-8-x" in equation "(2)

x(-8-x)=-48

rArr-8x-x^2=-48

"this is a quadratic equation so express in standard form"

x^2+8x-48=0larrcolor(blue)"in standard form"

"the factors of - 48 which sum to + 8 are +12 and - 4"

rArr(x+12)(x-4)=0

"equate each factor to zero and solve for x"

x+12=0rArrx=-12

x-4=0rArrx=4

"substitute these values into equation "(3)

x=-12rArry=-8+12=4

x=4rArry=-8-4=-12

rArr"the two integers are "-12" and "+4