Re: Differences and minimum products???

On Wed, 31 Dec 2008, Albert wrote:

Find two numbers whose difference is 8 such that their product is a minimum.

If the two numbers are m and n then m - n = 8 and mn is the product... I've thought about the roots of an equation being 8 units apart, vertex halfway having a minimum vertex but I haven't been able to develop my thoughts, perhaps not even in the right direction.

What equation?

How do I approach these problems?

Express mn in terms of n (or of m) and find the minimum.
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