Question #6b965

1 Answer
Dec 7, 2017

The two numbers are either -36 and -15
Or they are 15 and 36.

Explanation:

Let the smaller number be x and let the larger number be y.

By putting the words into equations, we get
xy=540
and
y=x+21

Use substitution to substitute the second equation into the first:
x(x+21)=540

x^2 +21x-540=0

Use the quadratic formula:
x=frac{-21 +- sqrt(21^2 - 4(-540))}{2}

x=frac{-21+-51}{2}

x=-36, 15

y=-15,36