The sum of two numbers is 28. Find the minimum possible sum of their squares?

1 Answer
EZ as pi
Apr 4, 2018

#392#

Explanation:

Squares get really big very quickly, so you don't want to use any bigger numbers. The biggest total of the squares would be from
using #1 and 28#

#1^2 +28^2 =1+784 = 785#
#2 and 27 = 4+729 = 733#

#14^2 +14^2 = 196+196 =392#

The greater the difference between the two numbers, the bigger one of the numbers is going to be.

Therefore use two numbers with the smallest difference between them which will be #14 and 14#

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