Question

Two numbers differ by 8 and their product is 153. The numbers are :

(a) 9, –17

(b) –17,  9

(c) 17, 9

(d) 11, 19

Answer 1

Correct option is (c) 17, 9

Let the larger number be x.

According to the given condition, smaller number would be x − 8

Hence,

x(x − 8) = 153

x² − 8x = 153

x² − 8x − 153 = 0

x² − 17x + 9x − 153 = 0

x(x − 17) + 9(x − 17) = 0

(x + 9) (x − 17) = 0

x = −9 and x = 17

Since the numbers are positive.

Hence the larger number is 17.

While the smaller number is 17 − 8 = 9.