Answer:
Least value of the smaller number is -8.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the smaller number be x and the higher one y.
So y = x + 12 and
xy = -32
Substitute for y in the second equation:
x(x + 12) = -32
x^2 + 12x + 32 = 0
(x + 8)(x + 4) = 0
x = -4, -8.
So the least value of the smaller number x is -8.
