The minimum value of $x_1^{2} + x_2^{2} + x_3^{2} + x_4^{2}$ subject to $x_1 + x_2 + x_3 + x_4 = a$ and $x_1 - x_2 + x_3 - x_4 = b$ is\\ (a) $(a^{2} + b^{2})/4$\\ (b) $(a^{2} + b^{2})/2$\\ (c) $(a+b)^{2}/4$\\ (d) $(a+b)^{2}/2$