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#