Question

Two consecutive even whole numbers have a product of 360. What is the smaller of the two number?

Answer 1

Answer:

let one even number be N

and another even number be N(N+2)

N(N+2)=360

n^2+2n-360=0

n^2+20n-18n-360=0

value of N= -20 ,18

but -20 not accepted

smaller number 18

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

18

Step-by-step explanation:

To find this answer you would need to use the formula x(x+2) = 360 where x is an even number.  This is the formula because any number plus 2 equals the next consecutive, even whole number.   If we look at the factors of 360 we see the factors-

360: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 24, 30, 36, 40, 45, 60, 72, 90, 120, 180, and 360.

If we look through all of the factors 18 and 20 are the only ones with a 2 number difference.

Next, if we plug 18 into the equation:

x(x+2) =360

18(18+2) = 360

324+36 = 360

360 = 360

Since the equation works, x = 18.