The number 81 can be written as the sum of squares of 3 integers. Which of the following could be the difference between the largest and smallest integers of the 3?  Choose the correct option
A) 2
B) 5
C) 8
D) 7
E) 9
Notice that the question asks which of the followingcouldbe the difference between the largest and smallest integers, not must be. The 3 integers could be: +/-1, +/-4 and +/-8, so the difference could be 7,9, or 12. Since only one of them is among the choices, then it must be the correct answer.   Answer: 7.
<result>D</result>
The number 81 can be written as the sum of squares of 3 integers. Which of the following could be the difference between the largest and smallest integers of the 3?