Let the smaller number be x.
The other number is x+2.
x(x+2) = 224
x² + 2x - 224 = 0
(x +16)(x - 14) = 0
x = -16 or x = 14
When x = -16
x + 2 = -14
Sum of the numbers = -16 - 14 = 20
When x = 14
x + 2 =16
Sum of the numbers = 14 + 16 = 20
The two numbers can be -14 and -16 and their sum is -20, or they can be 14 and 16 and their sum is 20.
