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Gilbert Strang, Calculus, 3rd edition (Wellesley-Cambridge Press; MIT OpenCourseWare RES.18-001) §3.2 Maximum and Minimum Problems, #57 · Calculus · Optimization

The figure for this exercise is in the book and isn't reproduced…

Find the total distance $f (x)$ from $A$ to $X$ to $C$ . Show that $df / d x = 0$ leads to $sin a = sin c$ . Light reflects at an equal angle to minimize travel time.

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Gilbert Strang, Calculus, 3rd edition (Wellesley-Cambridge Press; MIT OpenCourseWare RES.18-001) · §3.2 Maximum and Minimum Problems, #57

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