Optimization using Calculus
Optimization of
Functions of Multiple
Variables: Unconstrained
Optimization
1 D Nagesh Kumar, IISc Optimization Methods: M2L3
Objectives
Ü To study functions of multiple variables, which are more difficult to
analyze owing to the difficulty in graphical representation and
tedious calculations involved in mathematical analysis for
unconstrained optimization.
Ü To study the above with the aid of the gradient vector and the
Hessian matrix.
Ü To discuss the implementation of the technique through examples
2 D Nagesh Kumar, IISc Optimization Methods: M2L3
Unconstrained optimization
Ü If a convex function is to be minimized, the stationary point is the
global minimum and analysis is relatively straightforward as
discussed earlier.
Ü A similar situation exists for maximizing a concave variable function.
Ü The necessary and sufficient conditions for the optimization of
unconstrained function of several variables are discussed.
3 D Nagesh Kumar, IISc Optimization Methods: M2L3
Necessary condition
In case of multivariable functions a necessary condition for a
stationary point of the function f(X) is that each partial derivative is
equal to zero. In other words, each element of the gradient vector Δ x f
defined below must be equal to zero. i.e. the gradient vector of f(X),
at X=X*, defined as follows, must be equal to zero:
⎡ ∂f * ⎤
⎢ ∂x Χ )⎥
⎢ 1 ⎥
(
⎢ ∂f * ⎥
⎢ ∂x Χ )⎥
Δx f = ⎢ ⎥=0
(
⎢ ⎥
2
⎢ ⎥
M
⎢ M ⎥
⎢ ∂f ⎥
⎢ Χ ⎥
⎣ ∂dxn ⎦
*
( )
4 D Nagesh Kumar, IISc Optimization Methods: M2L3
Sufficient condition
Ü For a stationary point X* to be an extreme point, the matrix of second
partial derivatives (Hessian matrix) of f(X) evaluated at X* must be:
Ü positive definite when X* is a point of relative minimum, and
Ü negative definite when X* is a relative maximum point.
Ü When all eigen values are negative for all possible values of X, then
X* is a global maximum, and when all eigen values are positive for
all possible values of X, then X* is a global minimum.
Ü If some of the eigen values of the Hessian at X* are positive and some
negative, or if some are zero, the stationary point, X*, is neither a
local maximum nor a local minimum.
5 D Nagesh Kumar, IISc Optimization Methods: M2L3
Example
Analyze the function f ( x) = − x12 − x22 − x32 + 2 x1 x2 + 2 x1 x3 + 4 x1 − 5 x3 + 2
and classify the stationary points as maxima, minima and points of
inflection
Solution
⎡ ∂f * ⎤
⎢ Χ )⎥
∂
⎢ 1 ⎥ ⎡ −2 x1 + 2 x2 + 2 x3 + 4 ⎤ ⎡0 ⎤
(
x
⎢ ∂f ⎥
Δx f = ⎢ ( Χ* ) ⎥ = ⎢⎢ −2 x2 + 2 x1 ⎥ = ⎢0 ⎥
⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ ∂x2 ⎥ ⎢ −2 x + 2 x − 5 ⎥ ⎢0 ⎥
⎢ ∂f ⎥ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
⎢ (Χ ) ⎥
3 1
∂
⎣ 3 ⎦
*
6 D Nagesh Kumar, IISc Optimization Methods: M2L3
Example …contd.
7 D Nagesh Kumar, IISc Optimization Methods: M2L3
Example …contd.
8 D Nagesh Kumar, IISc Optimization Methods: M2L3
Example …contd.
9 D Nagesh Kumar, IISc Optimization Methods: M2L3
Thank you
10 D Nagesh Kumar, IISc Optimization Methods: M2L3