Math Is Fun Forum

Cam943

Member

Registered: 2014-07-14

Posts: 6

Distance Optimization

Hello mathisfun forum users! I wanted to know how to do this question:

"There are 2 graphs. The first of which is

and the second

. What is the length of the shortest line that connects both of the graphs?"

I want to know for the future how to approach these kind of problems. Do I have to find the locus of the length of the normal line at a point on one of the graphs, and then optimize it?

Thanks,
Cam943

Olinguito

Member

Registered: 2014-08-12

Posts: 649

Re: Distance Optimization

Do you mean

[list=*]
[*]

[/*]
[/list]

The distance from the point

to the line

is

[list=*]
[*]

[/*]
[/list]

Now use calculus.

Last edited by Olinguito (2015-01-21 08:17:49)

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Bassaricyon neblina

Cam943

Member

Registered: 2014-07-14

Posts: 6

Re: Distance Optimization

Yes that's what I meant. I see how you do it now. I can't believe I didn't use the dropped perpendicular formula...