The sum of the square of two numbers (call them x and y) is 60. What is the minimum value of the two numbers (x and y)?







Any idea how the hell to do this crap? Please show how it's done rather than the answer... I have a test on junk like this tomorrow!

So the equation for this is x squared plus y squared = 60. This can be re-written as y = the radical of (60 - x squared). So, when graphed, the image is a circle of radius (radical 60), or 7.74. Therefore, either x or y can be -7.74, while the other is 0, or x and y can both be -(radical 30), or -5.5. In the first case, x squared (60) plus y squared (0) is 60, and in the other case, x squared (30) plus y squared (30) is 60.

Is there any simple way of doing it?

My silly teacher loves to explain things in extremely complex ways and never tell us the simple way..


Btw this test has to be done without a calculator. :(

Are you talking about one of Fermat's theorems where every prime number that yields a remainder of 1 when divided by 4 can be expressed as the sum of two integer squares (e.g.: 97 = 4^2 + 9^2). The theorem was proven so now it's fact. Like the existence of God.

Oh wait.

When I divide 60 by 4, I get 15 R0. So basically, does not compute.

But, if we are talking about 60, BobDole is right.

Your basic formula is:



But, that is dependent on if you know at least one variable of the equation.

If you do not know y or x, it's time to start guessing and checking.

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Well, as long as you know the x squared plus y squared = 60, you can do what i did. Of course, it's obvf easier if you have one of the variables.

i wish i was smart enough to post my questions about math a few years back. damn that could have helped a lot.


oh btw there was no sarcasm in that. i meant that earnestly. anyone willing to help out a poor college student majoring in human biology if the need arises?

Is that the question word-for-word? If so, what does "the minimum value of the two numbers (x and y)" mean:

The minimum value of x, and the minimum value of y

or

The minimum value of (x+y)

?

The first doesn't make sense, because both x and y can be zero, as long as the other one is the square root of 60. The second doesn't make much sense either, because it's the same situation: the sum of x and y will be at a minimum when one of them is zero and the other one is the square root of 60.

Unless it's a trick question, and the answer is really negative the square root of 60, because that still squares to 60...so the minimum value could be -7.746...

Well I gave the minimum solution for both of those (at least within the domain of real numbers). And, if both are negative radical 30, (x + y) is around -11.

-7.7 was the right answer... It's really freaking stupid... Oh well, we're onto the trig unit now so my mark will go back up. :]

Hahaha, that sucks. But if you do need any help, AIM me and I'll try to help, I used to be decent at math.

Only have one more unit this semester... Trig... Aka free marks.