We can turn this word problem into the following equation: x^2 + 85 = (x - 17)^2 x^2 + 85 = x^2 - 34x + 289 -85 -85 _______________________ x^2 = x^2 - 34x + 204 +34x +34x _______________________ x^2 + 34x = x^2 + 204 -x^2 -x^2 ____________________ 34x = 204 Divide 34 on both sides x = 6. The number is 6.
