An Introduction to Optimization

Praise from the Second Edition "...an excellent introduction to optimization theory..."(Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 2002) "A textbook for a one-semester course on optimization theory andmethods at the senior undergraduate or beginning graduate level."(SciTech Book News, Vol. 26, No. 2, June 2002) Explore the latest applications of optimization theory andmethods Optimization is central to any problem involving decision makingin many disciplines, such as engineering, mathematics, statistics,economics, and computer science. Now, more than ever, it isincreasingly vital to have a firm grasp of the topic due to therapid progress in computer technology, including the developmentand availability of user-friendly software, high-speed and parallelprocessors, and networks. Fully updated to reflect moderndevelopments in the field, An Introduction to Optimization,Third Edition fills the need for an accessible, yet rigorous,introduction to optimization theory and methods. The book begins with a review of basic definitions and notationsand also provides the related fundamental background of linearalgebra, geometry, and calculus. With this foundation, the authorsexplore the essential topics of unconstrained optimizationproblems, linear programming problems, and nonlinear constrainedoptimization. An optimization perspective on global search methodsis featured and includes discussions on genetic algorithms,particle swarm optimization, and the simulated annealing algorithm.In addition, the book includes an elementary introduction toartificial neural networks, convex optimization, andmulti-objective optimization, all of which are of tremendousinterest to students, researchers, and practitioners. Additional features of the Third Edition include: * New discussions of semidefinite programming and Lagrangianalgorithms * A new chapter on global search methods * A new chapter on multipleobjective optimization * New and modified examples and exercises in each chapter as wellas an updated bibliography containing new references * An updated Instructor's Manual with fully worked-out solutionsto the exercises Numerous diagrams and figures found throughout the textcomplement the written presentation of key concepts, and eachchapter is followed by MATLAB exercises and drill problems thatreinforce the discussed theory and algorithms. With innovativecoverage and a straightforward approach, An Introduction toOptimization, Third Edition is an excellent book for courses inoptimization theory and methods at the upper-undergraduate andgraduate levels. It also serves as a useful, self-containedreference for researchers and professionals in a wide array offields.