What two numbers multiply to make 6 and add up to negative 3?

Answer 1

9

Answer 2

We're told:

ab = 6

a + b = -3

So we can say:

b = 6/a

a + (6/a) = -3

a2 + 3a + 6 = 0

a2 + 3a + 9/4 = 9/4 - 6

(a + 3/2)2 = -15/4

a + 3/2 = ±i√15 / 2

a = (-3 ± i√15) / 2

So the two numbers would be (-3 - i√15) and (-3 + i√15)