Chapter 21: Problem 103
The minimum distance of a point on the curve \(\mathrm{y}=\mathrm{x}^{2}-4\) from the origin is: \(\quad\) Online April 9, 2016] (a) \(\frac{\sqrt{15}}{2}\) (b) \(\sqrt{\frac{19}{2}}\) (c) \(\sqrt{\frac{15}{2}}\) (d) \(\frac{\sqrt{19}}{2}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The minimum distance from the origin to the curve is \(\frac{\sqrt{15}}{2}\).
Step by step solution
01
Define the Distance Formula
To find the minimum distance of a point \((x, y)\) on the curve \( y = x^2 - 4 \) from the origin \((0,0)\), we'll use the distance formula: \( D = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \).Since \(y = x^2 - 4\), substitute \(y\) into the distance formula.
02
Substitute the Curve Equation
Substitute \( y = x^2 - 4 \) into the distance formula. We have:\[D = \sqrt{x^2 + (x^2 - 4)^2}\]Simplify the equation to express \(D\) in terms of \(x\): \[D = \sqrt{x^2 + (x^4 - 8x^2 + 16)}= \sqrt{x^4 - 7x^2 + 16}\]
03
Simplify and Make It Square-free
To minimize \(D\), it may be easier to minimize \(D^2\) (the distance squared), to avoid dealing with the square root:\[D^2 = x^4 - 7x^2 + 16\]This expression is now ready for differentiation to find the minimum point.
04
Differentiate the Function
Differentiate \(D^2 = x^4 - 7x^2 + 16\) with respect to \(x\). We need \( \frac{d}{dx}(D^2)\).\[\frac{d(D^2)}{dx} = 4x^3 - 14x\]
05
Find Critical Points
To find critical points, solve for \(x\) where the derivative is zero:\[4x^3 - 14x = 0\]Factor out \(2x\):\[2x(2x^2 - 7) = 0\]So \(x = 0\) or \(2x^2 - 7 = 0\). Solve \( 2x^2 - 7 = 0 \):\[\ x^2 = \frac{7}{2} \quad \Rightarrow x = \pm\sqrt{\frac{7}{2}}\]
06
Evaluate Critical Points
Consider the candidates: \(x = 0\), \(x = \sqrt{\frac{7}{2}}\), and \(x = -\sqrt{\frac{7}{2}}\).Calculate \(D^2\) for each:- For \(x = 0\), \(D^2 = 0^4 - 7\cdot0^2 + 16 = 16\)- For \(x = \sqrt{\frac{7}{2}}\): \[D^2 = \left(\frac{7}{2}\right)^2 - 7\left(\frac{7}{2}\right) + 16 = \frac{49}{4} - \frac{49}{2} + 16 \]Simplify \(D^2\): - Combine terms: \(D^2 = \frac{49}{4} - \frac{98}{4} + \frac{64}{4} = \frac{15}{4}\)
07
Conclude the Minimum Distance
The minimum value of \(D^2\) found is \(\frac{15}{4}\) at \(x = \pm \sqrt{\frac{7}{2}}\).Thus, the minimum distance \(D\) is:\[D = \sqrt{\frac{15}{4}} = \frac{\sqrt{15}}{2}\]Hence, the minimum distance from the origin to the curve is \(\frac{\sqrt{15}}{2}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Distance Formula
The distance formula is a crucial tool used to determine the distance between two points in a plane. It's often written as:
- \[ D = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} \]
- \[ D = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \]
Differentiation Techniques
Differentiation is a mathematical process to determine how a function changes as its input changes. In this problem, differentiating helps find where the minimum distance occurs. Specifically, we differentiate the expression for the squared distance \(D^2 = x^4 - 7x^2 + 16\), to avoid the complexity of square roots.
The derivative of \(D^2\) with respect to \(x\) is:
The derivative of \(D^2\) with respect to \(x\) is:
- \[ \frac{d(D^2)}{dx} = 4x^3 - 14x \]
Critical Points
Critical points are where the derivative of a function equals zero or is undefined. Finding these points is essential to determine where functions like distances have minimum, maximum, or saddle points.
To find critical points for \(D^2\), the derivative is set to zero:
To find critical points for \(D^2\), the derivative is set to zero:
- \[ 4x^3 - 14x = 0 \]
- \[ 2x(2x^2 - 7) = 0 \]
Curve Analysis
Curve analysis involves evaluating the behavior and characteristics of the curve or function. After finding the critical points, evaluate the expression \(D^2\) at these points to identify the minimum distance.
For this problem, at \(x = 0\), we articulate:
For this problem, at \(x = 0\), we articulate:
- \(D^2 = 16\)
- Calculate: \(D^2 = \frac{15}{4}\)