Question

What number when multiplied by itself is 23 greater than the preceding number when it is multiplied by itself

Answer 1

if x is the number and then x-1 is the preceding number

 

x*x = (x-1)2+23

 

x2 = x2 -2x +1 + 23    combine like terms and x2 cancel on both side due to they are identical

 

0 = -2x + 22

 

2x = 22

 

x = 11

 

the preceding number is x-1 = 11 - 1= 10

 

 

answer is 10 and 11