pre algebra

[blackjack]

a scientist wants to research the potential spread of germs by contact. She know that the number of possible handshakes within a group of n people is given by the eqation n=1/2(n sq -n) Everyone at a party shook hands. There were 231 handshakes in all. How many people attended the party?

 

[Deleted member 4993]

a scientist wants to research the potential spread of germs by contact. She know that the number of possible handshakes within a group of n people is given by the eqation n=1/2(n sq -n) Everyone at a party shook hands. There were 231 handshakes in all. How many people attended the party?

\(\displaystyle 231 \ = \frac{1}{2}\cdot (n^2 \ - \ n)\)

Solve the above quadratic equation.