Proving Existence of Min. Distance in ##S## from ##p_0##

  • Thread starter Lee33
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Existence
In summary, the minimum of a set of numbers is the smallest number in the set, and if the set is non-empty and closed, then the minimum will exist.
  • #1
Lee33
160
0

Homework Statement



Prove that if ##S## is a nonempty closed subset of ##E^n## and ##p_0\in E^n## then ##\min\{d(p_0,p):p\in S\}## exists.

2. The attempt at a solution

If ##p_0## was in ##S## why would ##\min\{d(p_0,p):p\in S\} = 0?## Is it just because it is the minimum? How about if ##p_0 \in S## then what will ##\max\{d(p_0,p):p\in S\}## be?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Lee33 said:

Homework Statement



Prove that if ##S## is a nonempty closed subset of ##E^n## and ##p_0\in E^n## then ##\min\{d(p_0,p):p\in S\}## exists.

2. The attempt at a solution

If ##p_0## was in ##S## why would ##\min\{d(p_0,p):p\in S\} = 0?## Is it just because it is the minimum? How about if ##p_0 \in S## then what will ##\max\{d(p_0,p):p\in S\}## be?

max is not really the issue. The minimum of a set of numbers is the smallest number in the set. If you take the open interval (0,1) it doesn't have a minimum. It does have an infimum which is 0 but that's not in the set. So it doesn't have a minimum. So if you put S to be the open interval (0,1) and ##p_0=0##, then the minimum does not exist. If S were closed why is the situation different?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes 1 person
  • #3
Lee33 said:

Homework Statement



Prove that if ##S## is a nonempty closed subset of ##E^n## and ##p_0\in E^n## then ##\min\{d(p_0,p):p\in S\}## exists.

Don't forget that {d(p_0,p):p\in S\} is a non-empty subset of IR bounded below (by 0).
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
  • #4
Thank you Dick and PeroK! I think I understand now.
 

FAQ: Proving Existence of Min. Distance in ##S## from ##p_0##

How do you define the minimum distance in a given space?

The minimum distance in a space is defined as the shortest distance between two points in that space. It is also known as the distance between two points.

What is the importance of proving the existence of the minimum distance in a space?

Proving the existence of the minimum distance in a space is important because it allows us to determine the shortest distance between two points, which is essential in many mathematical and scientific calculations. It also helps us to understand the structure and properties of a given space.

How is the existence of the minimum distance in a space proven?

The existence of the minimum distance in a space is proven using various mathematical techniques, such as the triangle inequality theorem, the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, and the Pythagorean theorem. These techniques help to establish the shortest distance between two points in a given space.

Can the minimum distance be different for different spaces?

Yes, the minimum distance can vary for different spaces. The concept of minimum distance is dependent on the geometry and structure of a given space. Therefore, the minimum distance in one space may not be the same as that in another space.

How is the minimum distance used in real-world applications?

The concept of minimum distance is used in various real-world applications, such as navigation systems, optimization problems, and data clustering. It is also important in fields such as engineering, physics, and computer science, where precise measurements and calculations are necessary.

Similar threads

Back
Top