What is the minimum distance between the point (3,4) and po

[Max@Math Revolution]

[GMAT math practice question]

What is the minimum distance between the point (3,4) and points on the circle x^2+y^2=1?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

[swerve]

Hi Max@Math Revolution,

I think that this question can be solved as follow,

We need to find the distance between (3, 4) and (0, 0), this will be 5.

Then, the radius of the circle is 1, hence the distance between (3, 4) and points of the circle is 5 - 1 = 4. Option D.

Regards!

[Vincen]

Great questions and great answer swerve.

I would like to know if this is the only way to solve it? Is there another approach?

[Max@Math Revolution]

=>



Since the distance between (0,0) the center of the circle x^2+y^2=1 and (3,4) is 5, and the radius of the circle is 1, the minimum distance between a point on the circle and (3,4) is 5 - 1 = 4.

Therefore, D is the answer.

Answer: D