<s>[INST] Minimum value of $\sqrt{x^2+25}+\sqrt{y^2+16}$ if $x+y=12$ If $x,y\in\mathbb R^+$, $x+y=12$, what is the minimum value of $\sqrt{x^2+25}+\sqrt{y^2+16}$?
I got the question from a mathematical olympiad competition (of China) for secondary 2 student, so I don't expect an "analysis" answer.
The answer should be $15$, when $x=\frac{20}{3}$ and $ y=\frac{16}{3}$ (just answer, no solution :< ).
I try to use AM-GM inequality, but I couldn't manage to get the answer.
$$\sqrt{x^2+25}+\sqrt{y^2+16}=\sqrt{x^2+25}+\sqrt{(x-12)^2+16}=\sqrt{x^2+25}+\sqrt{x^2-24x+160}$$
Can this help?
I also tried to plot the graph, see here.
Any help would be appreciated. Thx!
 [/INST] $\sqrt{x^2+25}$ is the distance between $(x,0)$ and $(0,5)$, while $\sqrt{(x-12)^2+16}$ is the distance between $(x,0)$ and $(12,-4)$. Hence we need to find $x$ such that the sum of these two distances reaches the minimum. That is exactly the point that the line through $(12,-4)$ and $(0,5)$ meets the $x$-axis. Therefore we get $x = \frac{20}{3}$ and so $y = 12-\frac{20}{3} = \frac{16}{3}$.
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