2025 · Q39
If x² + y² + z² = 3, where x, y and z are integers, then how many values can (xy + yz + zx) have?
Elementary MathematicsNumber System
- AOne
- BTwo
- CThree
- DFour
Explanation
With x² + y² + z² = 3 and integer x, y, z, each of x, y, z is ±1. If all three are equal, xy + yz + zx = 3; otherwise (one or two of them −1) it equals −1. The maximum value is therefore 3, option (b).