Convex Set Projection Calculator

Solve nearest-point problems fast for structured geometric constraints. Choose vector inputs and inspect projection behavior. Clean layouts, exports, formulas, and graphs support deeper learning.

Calculator Inputs

The page remains stacked in one flow, while this form changes to three, two, or one columns responsively.

Enter coordinates separated by commas, spaces, or semicolons.
Choose the projection target set.
Controls displayed decimal places.
Used when checking whether x is already feasible.
Reset

Example Data Table

Set Type Input x Parameters Projected Point Notes
Axis-Aligned Box (5, -1, 8) l = (0, 0, 0), u = (4, 3, 6) (4, 0, 6) Each coordinate is clipped independently.
Euclidean Ball (6, 8) Center = (0, 0), radius = 5 (3, 4) Outside points shrink radially to the boundary.
Probability Simplex (0.2, 0.3, 0.7) Sum = 1 (0.1333, 0.2333, 0.6333) Coordinates stay nonnegative and sum to one.
Half-Space (5, 4) a = (1, 1), b = 6 (3.5, 2.5) Projection moves only when the inequality is violated.
Affine Hyperplane (3, 1) a = (1, -1), b = 0 (2, 2) The result lands exactly on the equality surface.

Formula Used

General Projection Definition

For a convex set C, the projection of x is the nearest feasible point: PC(x) = argminy ∈ C ||y - x||₂.

Axis-Aligned Box

If C = {y : lᵢ ≤ yᵢ ≤ uᵢ}, then each coordinate is projected by clipping: pᵢ = min(max(xᵢ, lᵢ), uᵢ).

Euclidean Ball

If C = {y : ||y - c||₂ ≤ r}, keep x when it is inside. Otherwise use p = c + r (x - c) / ||x - c||₂.

Probability Simplex

For C = {y : yᵢ ≥ 0, Σyᵢ = s}, the projection uses a threshold: pᵢ = max(xᵢ - θ, 0), where θ is chosen so Σpᵢ = s.

Half-Space

For C = {y : aᵀy ≤ b}, keep x if feasible. Otherwise use p = x - ((aᵀx - b) / ||a||₂²) a.

Affine Hyperplane

For C = {y : aᵀy = b}, project directly by p = x - ((aᵀx - b) / ||a||₂²) a.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the vector you want to project.
  2. Choose the convex set type from the dropdown.
  3. Fill only the parameters required for that set.
  4. Set the display precision and feasibility tolerance.
  5. Click Calculate Projection to show the result above the form.
  6. Review vectors, metrics, coordinate table, and graph.
  7. Use CSV to export numeric rows for spreadsheets.
  8. Use PDF to save a clean report of the result section.

FAQs

1) What does convex set projection mean?

It means finding the closest point in a convex set to your input vector. The result minimizes Euclidean distance while satisfying the set’s geometric constraints.

2) Why is this useful in mathematics and optimization?

Projection appears in constrained optimization, signal processing, machine learning, feasibility methods, and numerical algorithms. It converts an infeasible point into the nearest feasible one.

3) Which convex sets are supported here?

This version supports axis-aligned boxes, Euclidean balls, probability simplices, half-spaces, and affine hyperplanes. These cover many standard projection problems in applied mathematics.

4) What happens if my vector is already feasible?

The projection equals the original vector, so the projection distance becomes zero. The feasibility check shows that no corrective movement was needed.

5) What does projection distance tell me?

It measures how far the original point was from the feasible set. Larger values mean stronger constraint violation or greater correction to reach feasibility.

6) How is simplex projection different from box projection?

Box projection clips each coordinate independently. Simplex projection must also keep all coordinates nonnegative while forcing their total sum to a chosen target.

7) Can I use high-dimensional vectors?

Yes. Enter as many coordinates as needed, provided every related parameter vector has the same dimension. The graph compares coordinates rather than drawing full geometry.

8) Why does the graph compare coordinates instead of shapes?

Many projection problems are higher-dimensional, so a coordinate comparison stays informative for any dimension. It highlights which coordinates changed and by how much.

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