text: math problem that i cant figure out? use an algebraic solution to find four consecutive positive integers such that the product of the first and fourth is four less than twice the first multiplied by the fourth.  the four consecutive integers, in order of least to greatest are... set up your integers like this:  x x+1 x+2 x+3  then convert your word problem into an algebraic problem:  "product of first and fourth" = x(x+3)  "4 less than twice the first multiplied by the fourth" = 2x(x+3) - 4  so, your problem to solve is:   x(x+3) = 2x(x+3) - 4  x² + 3x = 2x² + 6x - 4  0 = x² + 3x - 4  0 = (x+4)(x-1)  so, x = 1 or -4  therefore your 4 consecutive integers are {1,2,3,4}  {-4,-3,-2,-1} would've worked too, but your problem said four consecutive positive integers.  .