Question

the product of two consecutive numbers is 342. Find the smaller number​

Answer 1

Answer:

18

Step-by-step explanation:

The 2 consecutive integers are

n

n + 1

Given:

n(n + 1) = 342

Solve for n.

n2 + n - 342 = 0

(n - 18)(n + 19) = 0

n = 18 or -19

But n and n + 1 must be positve, so

n = 18

n + 1 = 19

Answer 2

So the smaller number is 18.