Optimization Definition and 629 Threads

Mathematical optimization (alternatively spelled optimisation) or mathematical programming is the selection of a best element, with regard to some criterion, from some set of available alternatives. Optimization problems of sorts arise in all quantitative disciplines from computer science and engineering to operations research and economics, and the development of solution methods has been of interest in mathematics for centuries.In the simplest case, an optimization problem consists of maximizing or minimizing a real function by systematically choosing input values from within an allowed set and computing the value of the function. The generalization of optimization theory and techniques to other formulations constitutes a large area of applied mathematics. More generally, optimization includes finding "best available" values of some objective function given a defined domain (or input), including a variety of different types of objective functions and different types of domains.

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  1. E

    Maximizing Slope: Solving for Tangent Line on y=1+40x^3-3x^5 Curve

    Homework Statement At which points on the curve y=1 + 40x^3 - 3x^5 does the tangent line have th largest slope? Homework Equations derivative is 120x^2-15x^4... The Attempt at a Solution how should i do this? start by setting the derivative equal to zero to find critical #s, but...
  2. X

    What are the dimensions of a cross section that minimizes perimeter?

    Homework Statement This is from the book Calculus Single Variable, 4th edition: The cross-section of a tunnel is a rectangle of height h surmounted by a semicircular roof section of radius <i>r</i>. If the cross-sectional area is A, determine the dimensions of the cross section which...
  3. H

    Geometry Optimization of Crystals

    I'm stuck with a problem of finding the minimum energy of an inorganic crystal. Crystal is of monoclinic structure with 18 parameters to specify its internal coordinates and 2 atomic species. Am using a classical interatomic potential found in literature. The minimization involves both the...
  4. P

    What are the optimal dimensions for a non-oversized carton with maximum volume?

    Homework Statement According to postal regulations, a carton is classified as "over-sized" if the sum of its height and girth (the perimeter of its base) exceeds 108 in. Find the dimensions of a carton with square base that is not oversized and has maximum volume. Homework Equations...
  5. P

    Optimization isosceles triangle problem

    Homework Statement Find the angle theta that maximizes the area of an isosceles triangle whose legs have length l. The angle is the top angle if the left and right sides are l coming to a point with the bottom leg horizontal. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I broke...
  6. P

    Maximizing Enclosed Areas: Calculus Techniques for Optimization

    :cry:Sorry to ask such a question, but our study group is at a loss as how to continue and our homework is due tomorrow. So here goes: In order to receive credit we MUST use calculus techniques: We have a piece of wire that is 100cm long and we're going to cut it into two pieces. One piece...
  7. S

    Optimization in problem solving and studying

    This might be a stupid question, I'm not use to asking questions about math... I just started on optimization. Can someone tell me What optimization is used for and how I could apply it to a problem. When it comes to a problem, I could do it like if it asks " Find two numbers that satisfy the...
  8. F

    What is the Maximum Volume of an Upside Down Cone Inside a Larger Cone?

    Find the maximum volume of a right circular cone placed upside down in a right circular cone of radius R and height H. The volume of a cone of radius r and height h is 4/3pir^2h. I need help starting this one up... Any feedback will be appreciated.
  9. I

    Optimization - find point by minimising squared distance

    Find the point in the plane 3x+2y+z=1 that is the closest to the origin by minimising squared distance. (I hope I translated this ok..) I was thinking I would need to isolate a variable in the equation for the plane above then substitute it into the distance formula then do a partial...
  10. F

    Maximizing Area of a Racetrack: What are the Dimensions for Optimal Performance?

    Homework Statement The Question is: "A 400km racetrack is to be built with two straight sides and semicricles at the ends. Find the dimensions of the track that encloses the maximum area." The two long sides of the rectangle are written with >/= to 100m (each) The straight side of the 2 semi...
  11. F

    What is the shortest route to Gulch city?

    A dune buggy is on a straight desert road, 40 km north of Dust city. The vehicle can travel at 45 km/h off the road and 75 km/h on the road. The driver wants to go to Gulch city, 50 km east of Dust city in the shortest possible time. Determine the route he should take. The equation i can up...
  12. W

    Max Volume of Cylinder Inscribed in Cone: 10r^3π

    Homework Statement A right circular cylinder in inscribed in a cone with height 10 and base radius 3. Find the largest possible voluem of such a cylinder. Homework Equations V=\pi*r^2*h The Attempt at a Solution Ok, so I used similar triangles of the cone and cylinder to obtain...
  13. R

    Help with more optimization please, Maximum/minimum

    Homework Statement A cylindrical can is to hold 500 cm^3 of apple juice the design must take into account that the height must be between 6 and 15 cm, inclusive. How should the can be constructed so that a minimum amount of material will be used in the construction? assume no waste...
  14. R

    Optimization, Minima, Open Top Box

    Optimization, Minima, new question:Sheet Alluminum Homework Statement A box with a square base and no top must haave a volume of 10000 cm^3. If the smallest dimension in any direction is 5 cm, then determine the dimensions of the box that minimize the amount of material used. Homework...
  15. V

    What is the shortest time to reach Q on a circular lake?

    Homework Statement A man with a boat is located at point P on the shore of a circular lake of radius 5 miles. He wants to reach the point Q on the shore diametrically opposed to P as quickly as possible. He plans to paddle his boat at an angle t(0<t<pi/2)<or equal to** to PQ to some point...
  16. P

    Optimization variables problem

    This problem has to do with physics but it is from my calculus book, and for my calc class so I put it here: Homework Statement "A component is designed to slide a block of steel with weight W across a table and into a chute. The motion of the block is resisted by a frictional force...
  17. L

    LaTeX How to type Optimization of a Parametric equation, in LaTeX?

    Hi there I was just wondering how to type Optimatiozion of a Parametric equation, in LaTeX?
  18. T

    Optimizing Kite Area: Solving x,y,z for Max Area

    I have a kite pictured below...i need to determine x y z so that the kite has a maximum area. a and b are fixed constants. The way I am thinking of trying this is to have this equation (x*y)+(z*x)=A from this i have three variables so i should solve for y in terms of x and solve for z in...
  19. M

    How to Solve an Optimization Problem for Carrying a Ladder Around a Corner?

    I have this optimization problem, with the solution, but I don't really understand how to do this. Can someone please explain it to me? I mean, I the solution, I got totally lost when he started working out the problem after that long paragraph. Where did he get the first equation from? One...
  20. N

    Optimization questions to get ready for a test

    I was doing some optimization questions to get ready for a test. I came across one that stumped me. The question was "Find the dimensions of the isosceles triangle of the largest area that can be inscribed in a circle of radius r". My approach was: let y be the base of triangle let x be...
  21. P

    Calculus - optimization problem

    ok, i have an aquarium of volume V... where the cost of the base is 5 times of the sides... let h- height , w- width, l - lenght... therefore 2hw + 2hl is the cost of the sides and 5wl is the cost of the base therefore total cost = 2hw + 2hl + 5wl --> min and i want find the dimensions to...
  22. S

    Optimizing Isosceles Triangle Area with Limited Materials

    Well Strange to me at least, A man wants to build a patio on his house in the shape of an isosceles triangle. He wants to build the side walls out of pink planks, but he has only 600 yards worth of planks. Find the dimensions of the largest area he can build if he's using the side of his...
  23. S

    How Do You Determine the Minimum Rope Length Between Two Poles?

    two vertical poles PQ and ST are secured by a rope PRS going from the top of the first pole to a Point R on the ground to the top of the second polle. Show that the shortest length of rope occurs when \theta_1=\theta_2 I have found eqn and found the derivative, what do I do to show that it...
  24. C

    Optimization height and radius problems

    V = 2/3 pi r³ h 200 = 2/3 pi r³ h 300 = pi r³ h h = 300/ (pi)(r³) So this is the relationship that I find between height and radius. This is where I'm lost. The pricing of the cynlindrical wall and the hemisphere :S If I can get the formula for this one, I think I can solve the problem/...
  25. D

    How Can We Efficiently Optimize Two Point Boundary Value Problems?

    Hey everyone, I'm working on a project here to develop a two point BVP solver. As we all know optimizing a TPBVP is not the easiest thing in the world. Let me first start by giving you an example of what I'm doing. We wish to optimize the launch trajectory of a rocket assuming the only forces...
  26. K

    The maximum area that can be enclosed is 800 square feet.

    Given 80 feet of fencing, what is the maximum area that you can enclose along a wall? Solution: L=lenght, W=width, A=area 2L+2W=80 (perimeter) ==> L+W=40 ==> L=40-W LW=A ==> (40-W)(W)= -W^2+ 40W= A (dA/dW)=0=-2W+40=0 ==> W=20 W=20...
  27. N

    Optimization Problems: Finding Minimum Area using Second Derivative Test

    A 51 meter length of wire is cut into two parts. The first part is fashioned into a rectangle that is twice as long as it is wide. The second part is fashioned into a square. How much of the originial wire is used for each shape if the shapes' combined area is a minimum? Use the...
  28. H

    Looking for good book on Numerical Methods and/or Optimization

    Any recommendations? The books I have are very outdated. Extremely important to me are: - worked examples #1 criteria. Need that bridge between theory and implementation. - not overly heavy on theory (don't want to hire a PhD to explain it). I have an MS Engineering level education...
  29. H

    Optimization finding expression

    http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/3055/diagram28do.jpg I drew out that diagram but I think I might be wrong. The question is: Tom makes an open box from a rectangular piece of metal by cutting equal squares from the four corners and turning up the sides. The piece of metal measures 60 x...
  30. H

    Optimization Set-Up: Finding Optimal Dimensions for a Rectangle with Area 64m^2

    We're doing optimization problems and I was just wondering if I set this one up right: What are the dimensions of a rectangle with an area of 64m^2 and the smallest possible perimeter? Area=xy 64=xy y=64/x Perimeter=2x+2y = 2x+2(64/x) = 2x+128/x
  31. S

    Optimizing Illumination: Placing an Object to Receive Least Illumination

    The Illumination of an object by a light source is directly proportional to the strength of the source and inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. If the two light sources, one three times as strong as the other, are placed 10ft apart, where should an object be...
  32. B

    Multivariable Optimization Problem

    I need to "write the number 120 as a sum of three numbers so that the sum of the products taken two at a time is a maximum." I think this means that x+y+z=120 and xy+xz+yz=maximum. Can someone help me begin this problem?
  33. X

    Optimization Metal Tank Problem

    Ok, well the problem states: A metal storage tank with volume V is to be constructed in the shape of a right circular cylinder surmounted by a hemisphere. What dimensions will require the least amount of metal?The first step that I took was to draw a picture. I just drew a semicircle with a...
  34. A

    Lagraingian constrained optimization problem

    Im not sure if this is the right place, but I have an optimization problem where I assume we are supposed to use the Lagraingian method: Consider the labour supply problem for an individual over an entire year. Suppose the individuals utility is described by the function U = (C^0.5) x...
  35. S

    Related Rates, Optimization, Integrals

    Hi everyone, Well its that great time of year...the time of feverishly studying for finals and I have been doing some practice questions and there are a few that I'm stuck on. My first question I am embarassed to ask, it should be so simple, yet I cannot get the right answer. 1) A highway...
  36. S

    Optimization Problem: Particle Distance and Rate of Change

    A particle is traveling along the postivie x-axis at a constant speed of 5 units per second. a) Where is the point when its distance from the point (0, 1) is increasing at a rate of 4 units per second? b) Where is the point when its distance from the point (0, 1) is increasing at a rate of...
  37. L

    Optimization With Inequality Constraints:

    Hi all, I'm having trouble with the following problem: It was given as a word problem from which to infer the mathematics but basically it is this: Maximize: f(x,y,z,t,w)= ln((y^2-x^2)(z^2-t^2)*w^3)+.8x-1.2y-20z/17+14t/17-w^3/(pi^3) Subject to the constraints: 0<= .5x+y+3z+3y+2.5w<+30...
  38. S

    Calculus Optimization problems

    Hello Everyone, I'm working on optimization problems right now, and let me tell ya, if you thought I was horrible at everything else wait until you see me attempt one of these I have three questions but I'm hoping if I just get help with the one I will be able to get the processes for the...
  39. M

    How High Should the Light Be for Optimal Illumination at Point P?

    can someone PLEASE help me wit this problem? i will be ETERNALLY GRATEFUL. THANK YOU!. A light is suspended at a height "h" above the floor. The illumination at the point P is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the point P to the light ("r") and directly proportional...
  40. S

    Glad you were able to figure it out! Keep up the good work!

    Heres what i did for this one. find an equation relating work + math = 16 (total hours she has in a day). so math = 16 - work (i plug that into the equation for h) and for money, i have y = 6*work + 6 i plug this in as well and take the derivative. i get f ' = -4/3 *(6worrk + 6)^-2/3...
  41. T

    Optimization cylindrical can Problem

    Prove that any cylindrical can of volume K cubic units that is to be made using a minimum of material must have the height equal to the diameter.
  42. H

    Optimization: Beam of maximum strength

    first off here is the problem :18. A rectangular beam is cut from a cylindrical log of radius 30 cm. The strength of a beam of width w and height h is proportional to . Find the width and height of the beam of maximum strength. so I have a diagram of it but I am having troubles setting up...
  43. I

    Optimizing Rural Gothic Window Frame: Problem Solving

    Hello, I am having a little trouble understanding what the question is asking so I was hoping someone would be able to clear up the language the textbook uses. Thanks! A piece of window framing material is 6m long. A carpenter wants to build a frame for a rural gothic style window where...
  44. G

    Max Capacity Trapezoid Trough: Optimization Problem Q

    Q: A trough is to be made from three planks, each 12 in. wide. If the cross section has the shape of a trapezoid, how far apart should the tops of the sides be placed to give the trough maximum carrying capacity? OK the area of a trapezoid is A=2bh I know that much, but I've been...
  45. G

    Optimization- oh how the brain hurts

    Q: A solid if formed by adjoining two hemispheres to the ends of a right circular cylinder. The total volume of the solid is 12 cm^3. Find the radius of the cylinder that produces the minimum surface area. OK, I got about halfway through my problem before I got lost. V of shpere= 4/3(pi)r^3...
  46. D

    Optimizing PRS in an Optimization Problem (See Attachment)

    (See Attachment) I don't quite understand what i am supposed to optimize, and what my restriction formula is. Is QT constant? But in that case, how could i optimize PRS? I tried the following: l = PR + RS PR^2 = PQ^2 + QR^2 cos\theta1= \frac{QR}{PR} PR = \frac{QR}{cos\theta1} Similarly...
  47. B

    Need help on 2 optimization problems

    Question #1 A printed page will have margins of 2 cm at the top and sides and 4 cm at the bottom. If the printed area is 150cm squared, find the dimentions of the whole page so that its area will be a minimum. Question #2 Painters are painting the second floor exterior wall of the building...
  48. N

    Optimization greatest possible volume Problem

    Question: [ A rectangular box, whose edges are parallel to the coordinate axes, is inscribed in the ellipsoid 96x^2 + 4y^2 + 4z^2 = 36, What is the greatest possible volume for such a box ] I realize that the volume of the box: V = (2x)(2y)(2z) = 8xyz Thus far I've solved for z^2 in the...
  49. O

    Optimization Problem Solution - Checking and Verification

    Is anyone willing to check my solution to this problem? The problem is described on part 1 of the solution. http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/5418/solution016dj.jpg" http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/7669/solution025zk.jpg" http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/6652/solution030fr.jpg"...
  50. O

    What is the Optimal Solution for a Wire Length Minimization Problem?

    I am having trouble setting up the primary equation to this optimization problem. Here is a link to the problem http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/806/appliedminmaxprob5vo.jpg" Here is the best equation I can come up with but this leads me nowhere... The hypotenuse of the each...
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