Question

if a number is subtracted from it's square we get 272. find the number?​

Answer 1

suppose the number is x

then its square is x^2

therefore x^2 - x = 272

x^2 - x - 272 = 0

x^2 -17x + 16x - 272 =0

x(x-17) + 16(x - 17) = 0

(x - 17) (x + 16) = 0

x-17 =0 ; x + 16 =0

x = 17 or x= -16