Which are two numbers whose product is -60 and addition or subtraction is -17?

1 Answer
Jun 13, 2018

One solution is #(3, -20)#

Another solution is #(-20, 3)#

Explanation:

#x+y=-17#

#x*y=-60#

Use substitution:

#x=-17-y#

#(-17-y)*y=-60#

#-17y-y^2=-60#

#y^2+17y-60=0#

factor:

#(y + 20) (y - 3)=0#

#y=-20 or y=3#

solve #x# values:

#x+y=-17#

#x-20=-17#

#x=3#

One solution is #(3, -20)#

#x+3=-17#

#x=-20#

Another solution is #(-20, 3)#