X xkouki New member Joined Nov 12, 2005 Messages 5 Dec 12, 2005 #1 Shortest distance from origin for the curve xy=4 is? Please help..i wouldn't be posting if i wasn't completely clueless! :-(
Shortest distance from origin for the curve xy=4 is? Please help..i wouldn't be posting if i wasn't completely clueless! :-(
stapel Super Moderator Staff member Joined Feb 4, 2004 Messages 16,550 Dec 12, 2005 #2 Solve for "y=", and go from there. . . . . .y = 4/x . . . . .point on curve: (x, y) = (x, 4/x) Apply the Distance Formula. Minimize. Eliz.
Solve for "y=", and go from there. . . . . .y = 4/x . . . . .point on curve: (x, y) = (x, 4/x) Apply the Distance Formula. Minimize. Eliz.
U Unco Senior Member Joined Jul 21, 2005 Messages 1,134 Dec 12, 2005 #3 Note that it's easier to minimise \(\displaystyle D^2\) and this gets the same result. Notation-wise, let the point be (p, q).
Note that it's easier to minimise \(\displaystyle D^2\) and this gets the same result. Notation-wise, let the point be (p, q).
