V. Jeyakumar - Böcker

Continuous optimization is the study of problems in which we wish to opti­ mize (either maximize or minimize) a continuous function (usually of several variables) often subject to a collection of restrictions on these variables. It has its foundation in the development of calculus by Newton and Leibniz in the 17*^ century. Nowadys, continuous optimization problems are widespread in the mathematical modelling of real world systems for a very broad range of applications. Solution methods for large multivariable constrained continuous optimiza­ tion problems using computers began with the work of Dantzig in the late 1940s on the simplex method for linear programming problems. Recent re­ search in continuous optimization has produced a variety of theoretical devel­ opments, solution methods and new areas of applications. It is impossible to give a full account of the current trends and modern applications of contin­ uous optimization. It is our intention to present a number of topics in order to show the spectrum of current research activities and the development of numerical methods and applications.

A recent significant innovation in mathematical sciences has been the progressive use of nonsmooth calculus, an extension of the differential calculus, as a key tool of modern analysis in many areas of mathematics, operations research, and engineering. Focusing on the study of nonsmooth vector functions, this book presents a comprehensive account of the calculus of generalized Jacobian matrices and their applications to continuous nonsmooth optimization problems and variational inequalities in finite dimensions.The treatment is motivated by a desire to expose an elementary approach to nonsmooth calculus by using a set of matrices to replace the nonexistent Jacobian matrix of a continuous vector function. Such a set of matrices forms a new generalized Jacobian, called pseudo-Jacobian. A direct extension of the classical derivative that follows simple rules of calculus, the pseudo-Jacobian provides an axiomatic approach to nonsmooth calculus, a flexible tool for handling nonsmooth continuous optimization problems.Illustrated by numerous examples of known generalized derivatives, the work may serve as a valuable reference for graduate students, researchers, and applied mathematicians who wish to use nonsmooth techniques and continuous optimization to model and solve problems in mathematical programming, operations research, and engineering. Readers require only a modest background in undergraduate mathematical analysis to follow the material with minimal effort.

The search for the best possible performance is inherent in human nature. Individuals, enterprises and governments are seeking optimal, that is, the best possible, solutions for problems that they meet. Evidently, continuous optimization plays an increasingly significant role in everyday management and technical decisions in science, engineering and commerce. The collection of 16 refereed papers in this book covers a diverse number of topics and provides a good picture of recent research in continuous optimization. The first part of the book presents substantive survey articles in a number of important topic areas of continuous optimization. Most of the papers in the second part present results on the theoretical aspects as well as numerical methods of continuous optimization. The papers in the third part are mainly concerned with applications of continuous optimization. Hence, the book will be an additional valuable source of information to faculty, students, and researchers who use continuous optimization to model and solve problems.