Problem: if x and y are numbers such that ( x + 6 ) ( y - 6 ) = 0 , what is the smallest possible value of x ^ 2 + y ^ 2
Rationale: from ( x + 6 ) ( y - 6 ) = 0 it follows that either x = - 6 or y = 6 . thus either x ^ 2 = 36 or y ^ 2 = 36 . now , if x ^ 2 = 36 , then the least value of y ^ 2 is 0 , so the least value of x ^ 2 + y ^ 2 = 36 + 0 = 36 . similarly if y ^ 2 = 36 , then the least value of x ^ 2 is 0 , so the least value of x ^ 2 + y ^ 2 = 0 + 36 = 36 . answer : d .
annotated_formula: power(6, 2)