Answer:
the two numbers are 3 and -4
Step-by-step explanation:
Product: xy = -12, or x = -12/y
Sum: x + y = -1, or -12/y + y = -1
Let's multiply all three terms by y to eliminate the fractional terms:
-12 + y^2 = -y, or
y^2 + y - 12 = 0
This factors into (y + 4)(y - 3) = 0, yielding y = -4 and y = 3.
Earlier we found that x = -12/y. Here, if we choose y = -4, x = -12/(-4) = 3
and so the two numbers are 3 and -4. Note that 3(-4) = -12, as required, and that 3 - 4 = -1, also as required.
