Variational Methods in Optimization

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.