Variational Methods in Optimization

By Donald R. Smith

Book Overview

Fostering an increased appreciation of the fundamental theorem of calculus, this highly readable text elucidates applications of the chain rule of differentiation, integration by parts, parametric curves, line integrals, double integrals, and elementary differential equations. A clear and well-illustrated treatment of techniques for solving a wide variety of optimization problems arising in a diverse array of fields, this volume requires only an elementary knowledge of calculus and can be used either by itself or as a supplementary text in a variety of courses. 1974 edition.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486404552
• ISBN13: 9780486404554
• Release Date: June 1998
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 394 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent clearly worked out examples!

The technique of Euler-Lagrange multipliers is clearly illuminated with numerous detailed and worked out examples. The proofs can be a little sketchy in some parts, but the emphasis is on developing the idea behind the method, not necessarily formalism. The best part of this text is the highly detailed examples that sometimes occupy four pages.

Lovely reading!

It's well written, self-contained, and hardly any background is needed on the subject to approciate the art of calculus of variation. Many illustrative examples are worked out in clear details. A great book to read to get into the subject -- and check out the price too....