x - the number
Faye squares the number: x²
then multiplies by 2: 2x²
and adds 4: 2x²+4
Andrew multiplies the number by 21: 21x
then subtracts the result from 40: 40-21x
They both finish with the same answer, so the results are equal.
[tex]2x^2+4=40-21x \\
2x^2+21x+4-40=0 \\
2x^2+21x-36=0 \\
2x^2+24x-3x-36=0 \\
2x(x+12)-3(x+12)=0 \\
2x-3=0 \ \lor \ x+12=0 \\
2x=3 \ \lor \ x=-12 \\
x=\frac{3}{2} \ \lor \ x=-12[/tex]
The number is negative so x=-12.
The number is -12.