Question

The sum of a positive number and 47 is 1088 times the reciprocal of the number. Find the number. (Hint: The reciprocal of x is 1/

x )

Answer 1

x + 47 = 1,088/x

x² + 47x = 1,088

x² + 47x - 1,088 = 0

x = (-47 ± √(47² - 4(1)(-1,088))/2

= (-47 ± √6,561)/2

= (-47 ± 81)/2

= 17, -64

The number is 17.