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        riddles >> medium >> Minimisation Problem
        
(Message started by: ThudanBlunder on Apr 17th, 2010, 10:00am)
Title: Minimisation Problem
Post by ThudanBlunder on Apr 17th, 2010, 10:00am
Let x1 to xn be n points on the finite x-axis, where xi <  xi+1 for i = 1 to n-1. Now pick another point on this axis and call it x.

For what value(s) of x is the sum |x -  x1| + |x - x2| + ....... + |x - xn| minimised?
Title: Re: Minimisation Problem
Post by Obob on Apr 17th, 2010, 10:09am
The solution is fundamentally different based on [hide]whether n is even or odd[/hide]
Title: Re: Minimisation Problem
Post by rmsgrey on Apr 17th, 2010, 1:56pm
My first thought was that this problem is mean. Then I realised I was wrong. [hide]It's median[/hide]


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