[Xastir] Off Topic: Method to deterrmine location of N minimum points from a dataset

[Jim Tolbert]

Sorry for the off topic, but I am not sure where to start and I figured 
some of you folks probably know..  Any suggestions on what I should 
search on?
 
I want a method to calculate the locations of N points from a dataset of 
locations that has a minimum cumulative distance.  That, what are the 
locations of a given number of Basepoints so that the distance from the 
dataset to one of he basepoints is minimized.   Specifically, if I have 
a set of all the locations in a service area and I want to know where to 
place service providers in the dataset, were should I put them if I have 
two service providers, where should I put them if I have 
three providers, etc.
 
I am sure I did this as a home work problem long ago in a computer 
programming class, but I can't seem to come up with a simple means of 
doing it.   I am betting the method is detailed out there somewhere, but 
I can't find the correct search parameters.
 
Please send any suggestions to me at
 
jim at RiverRidge-WI dot net
 
Thanks all................ jt