Find the minimal distance between any point on the sphere

[helix999]

How can we find the minimal distance between any point on the sphere whose centre is 2,1,3 and radius is 1 and any point on the sphere centred at -3,2,4 and radius is 4?


is there any formula for finding this minimum distance ?

 

[aniketp]

find the distance between the centres, and subtract the sum of radii of the spheres...

 

[helix999]

thnx aniketp...that was helpful...i got my answer

 

[aniketp]

no problem, but i hope you understood WHY this works.

 

[helix999]

well...yes...i have a math exam tomorrow...have to finish a LOT of things