The product of two consecutive positive even numbers is 168. Find the numbers.

Step 1. Name. Let the smaller be $x$; the next even number is $x + 2$.

Step 2. Equation. $x(x + 2) = 168$, so $x^2 + 2x - 168 = 0$.

Step 3. Solve. $(x + 14)(x - 12) = 0$, so $x = 12$ or $x = -14$.

Step 4. Meaning. The numbers are positive, so $x = 12$. Check: $12 \times 14 = 168$.