Thread: Could i Have help with a problem i am stuck on please.

Hello, I have a small problem that i am having trouble with,

Find the co-ordinates of the point on the curve y=sqrt(x) which is closest to the point (5/2,0)

I already know a little about the process, I know the formula to find distance from the origin is sqrt(x^2+y^2) and I substitute sqrt(x) for y,
But then I simplify it down and get sqrt(-4x).
If i could have some pointers i would be really greatfull.
Thank you.

Originally Posted by paddy12321

Hello, I have a small problem that i am having trouble with,

Find the co-ordinates of the point on the curve y=sqrt(x) which is closest to the point (5/2,0)

I already know a little about the process, I know the formula to find distance from the origin is sqrt(x^2+y^2) and I substitute sqrt(x) for y,
But then I simplify it down and get sqrt(-4x).
If i could have some pointers i would be really greatfull.
Thank you.

This distance between two points is given by



So the distance between the point and the function is



Note that minimizing the square of the distance will also solve the problem

I hope this helps