Find two consecutive positive integers, the sum of whose squares is 365.

Solution

Let us say, the two consecutive positive integers be x and x + 1.
Therefore, as per the given statement,
x² + (x + 1)² = 365
⇒ x² + x² + 1 + 2x = 365
⇒ 2x² + 2x – 364 = 0
⇒ x² + x – 182 = 0
⇒ x² + 14x – 13x – 182 = 0
⇒ x(x + 14) -13(x + 14) = 0
⇒ (x + 14)(x – 13) = 0
Thus, either, x + 14 = 0 or x – 13 = 0,
⇒ x = – 14 or x = 13
since, the integers are positive, so x can be 13, only.
So, x + 1 = 13 + 1 = 14
Therefore, the two consecutive positive integers will be 13 and 14.