# Tricky word problem

• Jul 11th 2007, 04:42 PM
OnMyWayToBeAMathProffesor
Tricky word problem
i am stuck on these 2 problems, any help would be appreciated!

1.If 5 times the square of an integer is decreased by 32 times the number the result is 21. Find the number.

2.the sum of the squares of two positive consecutive integers is 113. Find the numbers.

thanxs!
• Jul 11th 2007, 04:48 PM
Plato
Quote:

Originally Posted by OnMyWayToBeAMathProffesor
1.If 5 times the square of an integer is decreased by 32 times the number the result is 21. Find the number.

2.the sum of the squares of two positive consecutive integers is 113. Find the numbers.

1. $5n^2 - 32n = 21$

2. $n^2 + \left( {n + 1} \right)^2 = 113$
• Jul 11th 2007, 04:52 PM
OnMyWayToBeAMathProffesor
thanxs
thanks for the formulas but how do i solve them?
• Jul 11th 2007, 04:56 PM
Plato
Quote:

Originally Posted by OnMyWayToBeAMathProffesor
thanks for the formulas but how do i solve them?

And you are on the way to being a mathematics professor??????
• Jul 11th 2007, 04:57 PM
OnMyWayToBeAMathProffesor
someday, but right now i need help, thank you
• Jul 11th 2007, 05:40 PM
Jhevon
Quote:

Originally Posted by OnMyWayToBeAMathProffesor
someday, but right now i need help, thank you

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plato
1. $5n^2 - 32n = 21$

2. $n^2 + \left( {n + 1} \right)^2 = 113$

Here are some hints.

Get all the terms on one side and make sure everything is expanded fully. the first equation becomes:

$5n^2 - 32n - 21 = 0$

the second equation becomes:

$2n^2 + 2n - 112 = 0$

These forms should look familiar, they are quadratic equations. we are expecting integer solutions so you should be able to factor, but if you are lazy, you can use the quadratic formula

Can you take it from here?
• Jul 11th 2007, 06:49 PM
OnMyWayToBeAMathProffesor
thanxs
thank you very much, you have helped a lot. also i think factoring is easier than the quadratic formula. Also i thank Plato for the formulas.