<p>Rosen, <em>Discrete Mathematics and its Applications</em>, Sec. 8.3, says:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>This problem arises in many applications such as determining the
  closest pair of airplanes in the air space at a particular altitude
  being managed by an air traffic controller.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-03T22:51:48.703Z
Welcome to CSE Stack Exchange. Great first answer!
Ellen Spertus
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-03T22:34:21.940Z
2019-08-03T22:34:21.940Z
Daniel R. Collins
<p>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closest_pair_of_points_problem" rel="nofollow noreferrer">closest pair problem</a> is the famous problem of finding out the closest pair of points given an arbitrary set of points on a plane. This problem has a divide and conquer algorithm and often is used in algorithms classes to illustrate the divide and conquer paradigm.</p>

<p>I also intend to do the same, but I would like to begin with some comments on why this algorithm is useful. Are there any interesting examples I can use here? A google search reveals nothing.</p>

<p>This is for an introductory algorithms course, and the audience is not expected to be an expert on this topic and has a mediocre level of mathematical maturity.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-31T22:13:48.200Z
Introducing neighbors to each other? Picking up stranded people in a disaster?
Ellen Spertus
<student-motivation><algorithms>
What is the closest pair problem useful for?
# What is the closest pair problem useful for?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-07-31)

The [closest pair problem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closest_pair_of_points_problem) is the famous problem of finding out the closest pair of points given an arbitrary set of points on a plane. This problem has a divide and conquer algorithm and often is used in algorithms classes to illustrate the divide and conquer paradigm.

I also intend to do the same, but I would like to begin with some comments on why this algorithm is useful. Are there any interesting examples I can use here? A google search reveals nothing.

This is for an introductory algorithms course, and the audience is not expected to be an expert on this topic and has a mediocre level of mathematical maturity.

**Tags:** student-motivation, algorithms

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Introducing neighbors to each other? Picking up stranded people in a disaster?  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-08-03. Score: 4

Rosen, *Discrete Mathematics and its Applications*, Sec. 8.3, says:

> This problem arises in many applications such as determining the
> closest pair of airplanes in the air space at a particular altitude
> being managed by an air traffic controller.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome to CSE Stack Exchange. Great first answer!  

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