Mean =86+10+7+13+a+12+b+12=9
⇒60+a+b=72
⇒a+b=12...(1)
variance =n∑xi2−(n∑xi)2=437
Here, Σxi2=62+102+72+132+a2+b2+122+122
=a2+b2+642
So, variance is 8a2+b2+642−(9)2=437
⇒8a2+b2+4321−81=437
⇒8a2+b2=81+437−4321
⇒8a2+b2=81−71
∴a2+b2=80
From (1) a2+b2+2ab=144
⇒80+2ab=144∴2ab=64
So, (a−b)2=a2+b2−2ab=80−64=16.