Question

Among all pairs of numbers whose difference is 24, find
pair whose product is as small as possible. What is the
minimum product?

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

  -144

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x represent the number halfway between the two numbers of interest. Then the product is (x -12)(x +12) = x² -144. This product will be a minimum when x = 0. That product will be ...

  (-12)(12) = -144