the product of two consecutive intergers is 72. the equation x (x+1) = 72 represents the situation, where x represents the smaller interger. which equation can be factored and solved for the smaller interger?

The numbers are 8 and 9.

Step-by-step explanation:

x (x+1) = 72 Distribute

x^2 + x = 72 Plug in values for x until one of them works

8^2 + 8 = 72 In this case, 8 is the number that works

64 + 8 = 72 Add

72 = 72

Now plug this into the original equation

8 (8+1) = 72 Add

8 (9) = 72 Multiply

72 = 72