Carcass wrote:
Both x and y are positive integers. If x2+2xy+y2=49 and x2−y2=−7, then y=
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 7
GIVEN: x² + 2xy + y² = 49Factor to get: (x + y)² = 49
So, EITHER x + y = 7 OR x + y = -7
Since we're told that x and y are POSITIVE, we can be certain that
x + y = 7GIVEN: x² - y² = −7Factor to get: (x + y)(x - y) = -7
Replace
x + y with
7 to get: (
7)(x - y) = -7
So, we know that
x - y = -1We now have two linear equations:
x + y = 7x - y = -1Subtract the BOTTOM equation from the TOP equation to get: 2y = 8
Solve: y = 8/2 = 4
Answer: C
Cheers,
Brent