Question Detail
The sum of the squares of three numbers is 138, while the sum of their products taken two at a time is 131. Their sum is
- 15
- 20
- 25
- 35
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Let the numbers be a, b and c.
Then,
\begin{aligned}
a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = 138
\end{aligned}
and (ab + bc + ca) = 131
\begin{aligned}
(a + b + c)^2 = a^2 + b^2 + c^2 + 2(ab + bc + ca)
\end{aligned}
= 138 + 2 x 131 = 400
\begin{aligned}
=> (a + b + c) = \sqrt{400} = 20.
\end{aligned}