Question

What are the two integers?...help please?
The product is -40 and the sum is -3. Why is this so confusing to me??

Answer 1

So we have two unknown integers, let's call them \(\large x\) and \(\large y\).

Their `product` is -40:
\(\large xy=-40\)

Their `sum` is -3:
\(\large x+y=-3\)

Understand how I came up with those two equations?

Answer 2

No - absolutely not.

Answer 3

We're labeling two unknown numbers with letters.
Their `product`, this means when we multiply the two unknown numbers together, they `equal` -40.

Answer 4

okay

Answer 5

So that gives us an equation, x times y equals -40.

Similarly, `their sum is -3`.
Sum means, `adding the two unknown numbers together` equals -3.

Answer 6

I have no idea why I can't get this

Answer 7

What are you getting stuck on?
Are you comfortable with the idea of variables (using letters to represent unknown numbers)?

Or is it the word problem part of it that's giving you trouble?

Answer 8

I think it is the wording...I am new to this whole algebra thing - haven't used it in 20+years ahhh

Answer 9

Hmm yah it can take a little getting used to.
With these word problems, you just need to pay attention to key words.

`sum` means you're adding things together.
`product` means you're multiplying things together.
`is` means equals.

Answer 10

if they are both negative, doesn;t that mean that one is positive?

Answer 11

You mean the -40 and -3 would cause one of our numbers to be positive?

Answer 12

yeah. I am trying to study off my text

Answer 13

Yes I suppose that's true.

\(\large xy=-40\)
We can determine that based solely on the product information.
If two numbers are being multiplied together and give us a negative answer, one of them has to be positive.

Answer 14

This is how I would think about it.
Try to break down the first part using the keywords I listed above.

So we're starting with 2 unknown values. \(\large x\) and \(\large y\).

`product` `is` -40.
We would interpret as:
`Multiplying x and y` `equals` -40.

Answer 15

-8 and 5

Answer 16

ugh I ahve paper and numbers all over

Answer 17

is that right? -8 and 5?

Answer 18

Umm one sec, lemme work it out real quick :)

Answer 19

yeah I think that's it....thanks for your help. It is hard trying to learn this stuff online

Answer 20

Yah that sounds right! Good job.

Answer 21

Online? Yah I'll bet. :(

Answer 22

thanks again :)