SOLUTION: Hi. First of all I'm not so sure if this problem goes here but it is for functions and their graphs. I have been looking for help on this problem for hours but it just doesn't make

Question 909355: Hi. First of all I'm not so sure if this problem goes here but it is for functions and their graphs. I have been looking for help on this problem for hours but it just doesn't make sense anymore and this is my last resort. "Let P= (x,y) be a point on the graph y= 1/x.
a. express the distance d from p to the origin as a function of x
b. use a graphing utility to graph d=d(x)
c/ for what values of x is d smallest?"
Do I have to use any formulas or anything, I am so sorry for asking.
Answer by Theo(13342) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
your equation is y = 1/x

this is a graph of your equation.

$$$

p is a point on the graph of y = 1/x.

d = the distance from p to the origin.

on the graph, p is represented by y which is the result of the equation of y = 1/x for any value of x.

since the equation is y = 1/x, then you want to find the formula for the distance from any point on that graph to the origin.

the distance from any point on the graph to the origin is given by the generic equation of

when y = 1/x, this equation becomes which becomes:

which becomes:

.

you want to graph

to graph it, replace d with y to get

the graph of that equation is shown below.

$$$

the particular software i am using marks the max/min points on each curve of the graph.

it is showing me that the minimum point if at x = 1 and the maximum point is at x = -1.

it is also showing me that the distance to the origin will be 1.41414 at that point, which is the samee as sqrt(2).

the minimum distances from any point on the graph of y = 1/x to the origin will occur when x = -1 and when x = 1.

when x = -1, y = -1, and when x = 1, y = 1.

the distance to the origin in both cases will be which becomes which becomes , or which still becomes .

the solution to your problem is that d is the smallest when x = -1 and when x = 1.

the particular calculator that i used is at:

http://www.desmos.com/calculator

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