1. **State the problem:** Find the minimum distance from the origin $(0,0)$ to the surface given by $$x^2 + y^2 - 1 = 0.$$ This surface represents the unit circle centered at origin. 2. **Express the distance:** The distance $d$ from the origin to a point $(x,y)$ on the surface is given by $$d = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}.$$ 3. **Use the surface equation:** Since points are on the surface, they satisfy $$x^2 + y^2 = 1.$$ 4. **Evaluate distance:** Substitute this into the distance formula: $$d = \sqrt{1} = 1.$$ 5. **Interpretation:** Since all points on the circle are at distance exactly 1 from the origin, the minimum distance to the surface is $$1.$$