silemus.

66x²+y² from sum and product

If x+y=9\displaystyle x + y = 9 and xy=14\displaystyle xy = 14, what is the value of x2+y2\displaystyle x^2 + y^2?

Start by squaring (x+y), since that expands to x² + 2xy + y², the pieces you already have. Substituting 9 and 14 gives 81 = x² + y² + 28, so x² + y² = 53. Check: x=7, y=2 solve the system, and 7² + 2² = 53.

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