The point on the curve x2 = 2y which is nearest to the point (0, 5) is
It is given that x2 = 2y
For each value of x, the position of the point will be
The distance d(x) between the points and (0,5) is given by:
d’(x) = 0
⇒ x3 – 8x = 0
⇒ x(x2-8) =0
⇒ x = 0,
And, .
So, now when x = 0, then d’’(x) = < 0
And when, x = , d’’(x) >0
Then, by second derivative test, d(x) is minimum at
So, when
Therefore, the point on the curve x2 = 2y which is nearest to the point (0,5) is .