Help with 2006 practice PSAT math question?

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1

<p>Can someone help with this problem?</p>

<p>If a and b are numbers such that (a + 8)(b - 8) = 0, what is the smallest possible value of a^2 + b^2?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>64.</p>

<p>The variable must be either 8 or negative 8 for the expression equally zero.The smallest absolute value of a square root is zero. Thus, you would make the other variable 0. 8^2+0^2=64.</p>

3

<p>Thanks so much!</p>