The numbers are (-8, 3) or (3, -8).
Step-by-step explanation:
- Step 1: Given the product of the numbers are -24 and their sum are -5. Let the numbers be a and b. Form equations out of these details.
⇒ a + b = -5 ⇒ b = -5 - a
⇒ a × b = -24 -------- (1)
- Step 2: Substitute the value of b in eq(1)
⇒ a × (-5 - a) = - 24
⇒ -5a - a² = -24
⇒ a² + 5a - 24 = 0
- Step 3: Solve the quadratic equation for a.
a = (-5 ± √25 - 4 × 1 × -24)/2
= (-5 ± √121)/2
= - 16/2, 6/2 = -8 or 3
- Step 4: For each value of a, find b.
When a = -8, b = -5 +8 = 3
When a = 3, b = -5 - 3 = -8.
