1. Mar 9, 2010 #1

   lockedup

   

   1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known dataFind the shortest distance from [tex]x^{2}-y^{2}=1[/tex] and the origin.
   
   I was gone when my professor taught on this. I just want some hints to get started...
   
   2. Relevant equations
   
   
   
   3. The attempt at a solutionI graphed it and it's pretty easy to see that the answer is one. I just don't know how to prove it...

    

   lockedup, Mar 9, 2010
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3. Mar 9, 2010 #2

   ideasrule

   

   Homework Helper

   The square of distance is x^2+y^2, so you have to minimize that. Can you express x^2+y^2 in terms of only one variable?

    

   ideasrule, Mar 9, 2010

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