Let the positive number be \(x\). According to the question: \[ 3x + 9 = 2x^2 \] Rearranging: \[ 2x^2 - 3x - 9 = 0 \] Splitting the middle term: \[ 2x^2 - 6x + 3x - 9 = 0 \Rightarrow 2x(x - 3) + 3(x - 3) = 0 \Rightarrow (x - 3)(2x + 3) = 0 \] So, either: \[ x - 3 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 3 \quad \text{or} \quad 2x + 3 = 0 \Rightarrow x = -\frac{3}{2} \] Since the number is a positive integer, the required number is 3.