16Hit1600
Advanced MathMediumConsecutive integers from a product

Advanced Math practice question

The product of two consecutive positive integers is 72. What is their sum?

Answer: 17

n(n + 1) = 72 gives n² + n − 72 = (n + 9)(n − 8) = 0, so n = 8. The integers are 8 and 9; their sum is 17.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 8
8 is the smaller integer.
If you answered 9
9 is the larger integer.
If you answered 72
72 is the product.

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