One positive integer is 2 less than another. The product of the two integers is 24. What are the integers?

Separate the answers with a comma.

Question

One positive integer is 2 less than another. The product of the two integers is 24. What are the integers?

Separate the answers with a comma.

anonymous · Answer

x=y-2
xy=24
(y-2)y=24
Now find y, then plug it into x=y-2 to find x.

anonymous · Answer

Howdoyoufind y?

anonymous · Answer

@alexsmith4589

anonymous · Answer

oh heck, i would just make a guess

anonymous · Answer

what two numbers multiply to 24?

anonymous · Answer

12 and 2 do, but 2 is not 2 less than 12, skip that one

anonymous · Answer

how about 6 and 4?

anonymous · Answer

(y-2)y=24
y*y - y*(-2) = 24
y^2-2y=24
y^2-2y-24=0
solve y from that, I'm not sure how to show it

anonymous · Answer

yup, $6\times 4=24$ and $6-4=2$ got it on the second try

anonymous · Answer

I can't. I'm in online school, anytime I get anyyyyyything wrong my gpa goes down by a ridiculous amount

anonymous · Answer

i didn't mean guess the answer and just put it in
i meant guess what it might be and check to see if it is right

anonymous · Answer

there are not too many choices for whole numbers whose product is 24

anonymous · Answer

Ahh, okay. I don't understand how alexander got y but the guessing  then testing worked, thanks guys :)