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Is this a problem in mathematica?

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg74615] Is this a problem in mathematica?
• From: traz <t_raz at yahoo.com>
• Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2007 01:44:58 -0500 (EST)

Let's say I wanna solve this problem:

Determine point(s) on y = x^2 +1 that are
closest to (0,2).

So in mathematica:

minDist = (x - 0)^2 + (y - 2)^2;
Minimize[minDist, y == 1 + x^2, {x, y}]

Output will give you: x -> -1/Sqrt[2], y -> 3/2

but x also has another answer: +1/Sqrt[2]. Is this a problem in mathematica or can my code be changed to output the other value of x for the minimum distance?

• Follow-Ups:
  • Re: Is this a problem in mathematica?
    • From: Carl Woll <carlw@wolfram.com>
  • Re: Is this a problem in mathematica?
    • From: Sseziwa Mukasa <mukasa@jeol.com>