In the previous post, we have used quadratic equations to solve a word problem involving consecutive numbers. In this post, we discuss more quadratic problems. This is the second problem in the series.

Problem 2

Miel is 12 years older than Nina. The product of their ages is 540.

Solution

Let x = age of Nina
x + 12 = age of Miel

The product of their ages is 540, so we can multiply the expressions above and equate the product to 540. That is,

x(x + 12) = 540.

Multiplying the expressions, we have

.

Subtracting 540 from both sides, we obtain

.

We want to find two numbers whose product is -540 and whose sum is 12. Those numbers are -18 and 30.

This means that the factors are

(x – 18)(x + 30) = 0.

Equating each expression to 0, we have

x – 18 = 0, x = 18
x + 30 = 0, x = – 30.

Since we are talking about age, we take the positive answer x = 18.

This means that Nina is 18 years old. Therefore, Miel is 18 + 12 = 30 years old.