Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 2h 22m
5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives
Applied Optimization
Problem 4.5.25
Textbook Question
Minimum distance Find the point P on the line y = 3x that is closest to the point (50, 0). What is the least distance between P and (50, 0)?

1
Identify the line equation y = 3x and the point (50, 0) from which we need to find the minimum distance to a point P on the line.
Express the coordinates of point P on the line as (x, 3x) since any point on the line y = 3x can be represented in this form.
Use the distance formula to express the distance D between point P(x, 3x) and the point (50, 0): D = sqrt((x - 50)^2 + (3x - 0)^2).
Simplify the distance formula: D = sqrt((x - 50)^2 + 9x^2). This simplifies to D = sqrt(10x^2 - 100x + 2500).
To find the minimum distance, minimize the expression under the square root, 10x^2 - 100x + 2500, by finding its derivative, setting it to zero, and solving for x. This will give the x-coordinate of point P that minimizes the distance.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Distance Formula
The distance formula calculates the distance between two points in a Cartesian plane. For points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), the distance d is given by d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²). This formula is essential for determining how far the point P on the line is from the point (50, 0).
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Line Equation
The equation of a line describes the relationship between x and y coordinates of points on that line. In this case, the line is given by y = 3x, which indicates that for every unit increase in x, y increases by three units. Understanding this equation helps in identifying the coordinates of point P that lies on the line.
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Optimization
Optimization in calculus involves finding the maximum or minimum values of a function. In this problem, we need to minimize the distance from point P on the line to the point (50, 0). This typically involves using techniques such as taking derivatives and setting them to zero to find critical points.
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