Cross-Number Puzzle 2: Lower Secondary Mathematics Competition Question

The square grid is the same as in the previous Cross Number puzzle. However, this time the aim is to complete the grid with four distinct 3-digit square numbers.

What is the smallest possible sum of these four numbers?

The numbers are read in the standard way, either left-to-right or top-to-bottom. Each number must be greater than 99, so no leading zeros.

As an extension, how many solutions are there to the general problem of fitting four distinct 3-digit square numbers into the grid?





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