Question

Two positive integers are 3 units apart on a number line. Their product is 108.

Which equation can be used to solve for m, the greater integer?

m(m – 3) = 108
m(m + 3) = 108
(m + 3)(m – 3) = 108
(m – 12)(m – 9) = 108

Answer 1

m(m – 3) = 108

Let m be the greater integer; the other is m − 3. Their product is m(m − 3) = 108 (which gives m = 12).