Question

Ximena is older than Gavin. Their ages are consecutive integers. Find

Ximena's age if the product of their ages is 156.

Answer 1

Ximena is 13, Gavin is 12.

Explanation:

let's call Gavin's age x, and let's call Ximena's age x + 1.

Then, x (x + 1) = 156,

x² + x = 156

x² + x - 156 = 0

x = ((-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) ÷ 2a)

= ((-1 ± √(1² - 4(1)(-156)) ÷ 2(1))

= ((-1 ± √(1 + 624)) ÷ 2)

= (-1 ± 25) ÷ 2

= -13 or 12. must be positive.

so x = 12.

that means that Gavin is 12 and Ximena is 13.