difference between 2 positive numbers is 3 and the sum of their squares is 117 | MathCelebrity Forum

difference between 2 positive numbers is 3 and the sum of their squares is 117

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difference between 2 positive numbers is 3 and the sum of their squares is 117

Declare variables for each of the two numbers:
  • Let the first variable be x
  • Let the second variable be y
We're given 2 equations:
  1. x - y = 3
  2. x^2 + y^2 = 117
Rewrite equation (1) in terms of x by adding y to each side:
  1. x = y + 3
  2. x^2 + y^2 = 117
Substitute equation (1) into equation (2) for x:
(y + 3)^2 + y^2 = 117

Evaluate and simplify:
y^2 + 3y + 3y + 9 + y^2 = 117

Combine like terms:
2y^2 + 6y + 9 = 117

Subtract 117 from each side:
2y^2 + 6y + 9 - 117 = 117 - 117
2y^2 + 6y - 108 = 0

This is a quadratic equation:

Solve the quadratic equation 2y2+6y-108 = 0

With the standard form of ax2 + bx + c, we have our a, b, and c values:
a = 2, b = 6, c = -108

Solve the quadratic equation 2y^2 + 6y - 108 = 0

The quadratic formula is denoted below:
y = -b ± sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)/2a

Step 1 - calculate negative b:
-b = -(6)
-b = -6

Step 2 - calculate the discriminant Δ:
Δ = b2 - 4ac:
Δ = 62 - 4 x 2 x -108
Δ = 36 - -864
Δ = 900 <--- Discriminant
Since Δ is greater than zero, we can expect two real and unequal roots.

Step 3 - take the square root of the discriminant Δ:
√Δ = √(900)
√Δ = 30

Step 4 - find numerator 1 which is -b + the square root of the Discriminant:
Numerator 1 = -b + √Δ
Numerator 1 = -6 + 30
Numerator 1 = 24

Step 5 - find numerator 2 which is -b - the square root of the Discriminant:
Numerator 2 = -b - √Δ
Numerator 2 = -6 - 30
Numerator 2 = -36

Step 6 - calculate your denominator which is 2a:
Denominator = 2 * a
Denominator = 2 * 2
Denominator = 4

Step 7 - you have everything you need to solve. Find solutions:
Solution 1 = Numerator 1/Denominator
Solution 1 = 24/4
Solution 1 = 6

Solution 2 = Numerator 2/Denominator
Solution 2 = -36/4
Solution 2 = -9

As a solution set, our answers would be:
(Solution 1, Solution 2) = (6, -9)

Since one of the solutions is not positive and the problem asks for 2 positive number, this problem has no solution
 
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