| Step 1. Read the problem. |
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| Step 2. Identify what we are looking for. |
We are looking for two consecutive odd integers. |
| Step 3. Name what we are looking for. |
Let n= the first odd integer. n+2= the next odd integer |
| Step 4. Translate into an equation. State the problem in one sentence. |
"The product of two consecutive odd integers is 195." The product of the first odd integer and the second odd integer is 195. |
| Translate into an equation |
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| Step 5. Solve the equation. Distribute. |
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| Subtract 195 to get the equation in standard form. |
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| Identify the a, b, c values. |
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| Write the quadratic equation. |
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| Then substitute in the values of a, b, c.. |
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| Simplify. |
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| Simplify the radical. |
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| Rewrite to show two solutions. |
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| Solve each equation. |
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| There are two values of n that are solutions. This will give us two pairs of consecutive odd integers for our solution. |
First odd integer n=13 next odd integer n+2 13+2 15 |
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First odd integer n=−15 next odd integer n+2 −15+2 −13 |
| Step 6. Check the answer. Do these pairs work? Are they consecutive odd integers? Is their product 195? |
13,15,yes13⋅15=195,yes−13,−15,yes−13(−15)=195,yes |
| Step 7. Answer the question. |
The two consecutive odd integers whose product is 195 are 13, 15, and −13, −15. |