Optimization by Vector Space Methods (Series in Decision and Control)

Book Description

Engineers must make decisions regarding the distribution of expensive resources in a manner that will be economically beneficial. This problem can be realistically formulated and logically analyzed with optimization theory. This book shows engineers how to use optimization theory to solve complex problems. Unifies the large field of optimization with a few geometric principles. Covers functional analysis with a minimum of mathematics. Contains problems that relate to the applications in the book.

Customer Reviews:

Elegant and astonishing.......2006-03-17

Professor Luenberger unites many areas of optimization using a few principles from functional analysis. The explanations are clear and the proofs are compact and elegant. This book is your tool for understanding the deep connection between linear programming, convex optimization, game theory, optimal control and series approximation (e.g. Fourier series).

Luenberger's book has over 1300 citations as of March 2006. In my opinion, the material in this book is essential for any graduate student or professional who intends to contribute to the literature in optimization or optimal control.

A Good Book but Seriously Overpriced.......2005-01-15

The exposition is pretty clear and the book has a good number of worked non-trivial examples. At $40 this would be a great book, but $100 for a PAPERBACK book written 30 years ago is a bit ridiculous. The first 1/4 of the book is also a (very) basic introduction to functional analysis which, if you have had any contact with this subject before, you will probably skip making the book quite short.

This is a true classic.......2004-12-18

This book is a timeless classic, filled with extraordinarily powerful mathematics and applicable to just about every serious subject area. Luenberger did a masterful job of writing a book that will "unravel the spaghetti" seen in most other books. The visual perspectives he provides to seemingly abstract ideas are the key.

Simply the perfect math book.......2003-07-04

Optimization by Vector Space Methods, by David Luenberger, is one of the finest math texts I have ever read, and I've read hundreds. Many years ago this book sparked my interest in optimization and convinced me that the abstract mathematics I had been immersed in actually would be applicable to real problems. Since then, Luenberger's book has inspired several of my graduate students. I merely lent them my copy, and Luenberger did the rest; he drew them in by carefully laying the foundation for an elegant theory, with just the right mix of formalism and intuition, and opened their eyes to the beauty and practicality of abstract mathematics. Anyone with an interest in higher-level mathematics (beyond multi-variable calculus, say) would benefit from exposure to this finely-crafted book. I daresay, the rampant math anxiety that is so prevalent in the West would be substantially reduced if more authors would take such meticulous care in presenting their material.

The format of Luenberger's book is also extremely appealing in a way that I cannot quite put my finger on. The typography and illustrations are inherently crisp and inviting; they draw you in. There is nothing at all superfluous or gratuitous in this book. It is utterly to-the-point, methodical, and above all, clear. The techniques are developed starting from an elementary treatment of vector spaces, then proceeding on to Banach spaces and Hilbert spaces. Along the way, Luenberger introduces convexity, cones, basic topology, random variables, minimum-variance estimators, and least squares, among many other things. There is a recurring theme of duality, which can be used in a way analogous to the inner product of a Hilbert space. In particular, the familiar projection theorems of Hilbert spaces can be echoed in simpler normed linear spaces using duality, which Luenberger motivates and covers beautifully.

The book also covers some of the standard fare of functional analysis, such as the Han-Banach theorem, strong and weak convergence, and the Banach inverse theorem. However, Luenberger never wanders too far off into abstract nonsense; around every corner lay tantalizing application of these ideas to optimization. Luenberger first explores optimization of functionals then covers constrained optimization, which builds upon concepts such as positive cones and Lagrange multipliers. The optimization methods themselves have endless applications in fields such as computer vision, computer graphics, economics, and physics. Indeed, the list is effectively endless as optimization techniques pervade math and science.

I'm certain that the appeal of this book is helped immeasurably by the inherent beauty of the subject matter. Hilbert-space methods are lovely in themselves--they possess a structure that engages one's geometric intuition while at the same time admitting convenient algebraic properties. Once you are in the habit of phrasing problems in abstract settings such as Hilbert spaces, it forever changes how you look at things; you cannot help but look past the clutter to the essence of a problem (or, at least try very hard to do so). While this material is not nearly as abstract as, say, category theory, it nevertheless hits a high point in mathematics--a point more people ought to experience.

If you've had some exposure to optimization methods, or need to apply them in the context of computer vision, graphics, or finance, to mention just a few areas, then I urge you to take a look at Luenberger's fine book. It too hits a high point in clarity of mathematical writing. Combine beautiful theory with endless applications and lucid writing, and you have a winner of a book.

Thank You Dr. Luenberger.......2002-10-15

I owe Dr Luenberger a million thanks for writing this book. As his student, I think he is the master of putting complex issues in simple words. Your faithful student..Jayanth Krishnan

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Topology Optimization
M.P. Bendsoe , and O. Sigmund
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Shape Optimization By the Homogenization Method
Structural Sensitivity Analysis and Optimization 1
Random Heterogeneous Materials

Accessories:

Integrated Methods for Optimization (International Series in Operations Research & Management Science)
Understanding and Using Linear Programming (Universitext)
New Approaches to Circle Packing in a Square: With Program Codes (Springer Optimization and Its Applications)

ASIN: 3540429921

Book Description

The topology optimization method solves the basic engineering problem of distributing a limited amount of material in a design space. The first edition of this book has become the standard text on optimal design, which is concerned with the optimization of structural topology, shape and material. This edition has been substantially revised and updated to reflect progress made in modelling and computational procedures. It also encompasses a comprehensive and unified description of the state of the art of the so-called material distribution method, based on the use of mathematical programming and finite elements. Applications treated include not only structures but also MEMS and materials.

Plateau's Problem (Student Mathematical Library, V. 13)

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An elegant application of differential geometry

Plateau's Problem (Student Mathematical Library, V. 13)
Frederick J., Jr. Almgren
Manufacturer: American Mathematical Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

There have been many wonderful developments in the theory of minimal surfaces and geometric measure theory in the past 25 to 30 years. Many of the researchers who have produced these excellent results were inspired by this little book--or by Fred Almgren himself.

The book is indeed a delightful invitation to the world of variational geometry. A central topic is Plateau's Problem, which is concerned with surfaces that model the behavior of soap films. When trying to resolve the problem, however, one soon finds that smooth surfaces are insufficient: Varifolds are needed. With varifolds, one can obtain geometrically meaningful solutions without having to know in advance all their possible singularities. This new tool makes possible much exciting new analysis and many new results.

Plateau's problem and varifolds live in the world of geometric measure theory, where differential geometry and measure theory combine to solve problems which have variational aspects. The author's hope in writing this book was to encourage young mathematicians to study this fascinating subject further. Judging from the success of his students, it achieves this exceedingly well.

Customer Reviews:

An elegant application of differential geometry.......2006-04-18

This book is well-illustrated and motivates all of its theorems. In order to get anything out of this text, one should at least be familiar with basic algebraic topology of surfaces (I recommend Kinsey's "Topology of Surfaces" for beginners) and should know the calculus of differential forms and chains in Spivak's "Calculus on Manifolds". It makes for a good read aftwerwards.

Schaum's Outline of Graph Theory: Including Hundreds of Solved Problems

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Not up to the standard of most Schaum's outlines
This book is $$$ for a reason
Good Book. I recommend it.
A smooth surfing into the amazing world of graph theory

Schaum's Outline of Graph Theory: Including Hundreds of Solved Problems
V. K. Balakrishnan
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Schaum's Outline of Theory and Problems of Combinatorics including concepts of Graph Theory
Introductory Graph Theory
Introduction to Graph Theory (Dover Books on Advanced Mathematics)
Schaum's Outline of Group Theory
Schaum's Outline of Discrete Mathematics (Schaum's)

ASIN: 0070054894

Book Description

Student's love Schaum's--and this new guide will show you why! Graph Theory takes you straight to the heart of graphs. As you study along at your own pace, this study guide shows you step by step how to solve the kind of problems you're going to find on your exams. It gives you hundreds of completely worked problems with full solutions. Hundreds of additional problems let you test your skills, then check the ansers. So if you want to get a firm handle on graph theory--whether to ace your graph course, to supplement a course that uses graphs, or to build a solid basis for future study--there's no better tool than Schaum's. This guide makes a wonderful supplement to your class text, but it is so comprehensive that it can even be used alone as a complete graph theory independent study course!

Customer Reviews:

Not up to the standard of most Schaum's outlines.......2005-12-25

I have bought and used many Schaum's outlines on various subjects in math and science, and I would say that this outline on graph theory is one of the worst. Most Schaum's outlines give you the theory in small doses, with plenty of diagrams to explain the concepts. This outline reads more like one of the textbooks on the subject, however. Theorems and their illustrations are poorly presented, and the author could not have made the subject matter drier and more unappealing if he had tried. You might be able to get something out of it if you are a student of pure mathematics, but you will definitely be disappointed in this book if you are a computer science student. If you are already using a bad textbook for a class in graph theory, this book will only add to your collection of bad unreadable texts on the subject. For computer science students, I suggest that you check out the chapters on graph algorithms in Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen et al. That book has pseudocode, explanations, and diagrams to help you work out implementations of various graphing algorithms.

This book is $$$ for a reason.......2003-01-12

This book was an absolute hell to contend with. I've taken two courses in Graph Theory, using Robin J. Wilson's Introduction to Graph Theory and this cheap broadsheet, respectively. Wilson's book is the one to use! It's extremely well-written, even fun to read--the reviews on Amazon will bear that out.

In the second graph theory course that I took (to refresh and refine my understanding), the professor chose the Schaum text solely for its low cost--he thought he was doing the students a service. Hardly.

No thought whatsoever has been put into the readability of this book. The tiny dark-grey font on light-grey paper is a simple enough design flub that makes reading past even two or three pages at a time almost unbearable. Defining terms is seen as a chore to be compacted--a single page at the beginning of each chapter might try to define 10-15 terms, just to get them out of the way. It becomes a mess of bold print that the reader is forced to continually return to because the definitions come with no context nor examples by which to remember them. In the end, the reader realizes that 2/3 of the book is just list after list of badly-worded questions following under-scripted lessons.

Look, it's not even worth writing any more about, the text frustrates me so much. There's only two other reviews on this page, and I'd place money on them being written by the author himself. Save yourself the $$$ and the hassle, and just go buy Wilson's book. Trust me.

Good Book. I recommend it........2001-05-20

In general, the book not requires study in advance, but it is better for reference. I'm a software engineer and the book's treatment of "Shortest Path" and "Connectivity" problems is very usefull. Good for fast remember of the subject.

A smooth surfing into the amazing world of graph theory.......2000-07-03

In this book one can find a practical survey of both principles and practice of graph theory, with great coverage of the subject. The outhor provides a lots of solved problems, with losts of theory proofs and all with great clarity and common reasoning. The outhor gets you enter the subject step by step from the easy problems to the hardest with great skill. Also the algorithms on graphs presented in this book, and in general the algorithmic approach of this book are presented most clearly. You wouldn't leave this book until you'l finish read it and understand graph theory. Finally you would fill that at least on one branch of mathematics you are well sitted.

Homogenization and Structural Topology Optimization: Theory, Practice and Software

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Homogenization and Structural Topology Optimization: Theory, Practice and Software
Behrooz Hassani , and Ernest Hinton
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3540762116

Book Description

Structural topology optimization is a fast growing field that is finding numerous applications in automotive, aerospace and mechanical design processes. Homogenization is a mathematical theory with applications in several engineering problems that are governed by partial differential equations with rapidly oscillating coefficients Homogenization and Structural Topology Optimization brings the two concepts together and successfully bridges the previously overlooked gap between the mathematical theory and the practical implementation of the homogenization method. The book is presented in a unique self-teaching style that includes numerous illustrative examples, figures and detailed explanations of concepts. The text is divided into three parts which maintains the book's reader-friendly appeal.

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Singularity theory
Outstanding introduction for life and behavioral scientists.
Outstanding introduction for life and behavioral scientists.

Catastrophe Theory
Vladimir I. Arnol'd
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Catastrophe Theory and Its Applications
An Introduction to Catastrophe Theory
Catastrophe Theory for Scientists and Engineers

ASIN: 3540548114

Book Description

This well-known booklet, now in its third, expanded edition, provides an informal survey of applications of singularity theory in a wide range of areas. Although the first few chapters touch briefly (and critically) on theThom-Zeeman catastrophe theory, most of the book is concerned with more recent and less controversial aspects, covering such topics as: bifurcations and stability loss, wavefront propagation, the distribution of matter in the universe, optimization and control problems, visible contours,bypassing an obstacle, symplectic and contact geometry, complex singularities, and the surprising connections between singularities and widely disparate mathematical objects such as regular polyhedra and reflection groups. Readers familiar with the previous editions will find much that is new. Results have been brought up to date, and among the new or expanded topics discussed are delayed loss of stability, cascades of period doublings and triplings, shock waves, implicit differential equationsand folded singularities, interior scattering, and more. Three new sections give an overview of the history of singularity theory and its applications from Leonardo da Vinci to modern times, a discussion of perestroika in terms of the theory of metamorphoses, and a list of 93 problems touching on most of the subject matter in the book. The text is enhanced by fifteen new drawings (there are now 87 in all) and improvements to old ones. The already extensive literature list has been updated and expanded. As a result, the book has been enlarged by almost a third. Arnol'd's goal with this edition remains the same: to explain the essence of the results and applications to readers having a minimal mathematical background. All that he asks, is that the reader have an inquiring mind.

Customer Reviews:

Singularity theory.......2006-01-30

Catastrophe theory is introduced as a sort of merger of Whitney's theory of singularities of mappings and Poincaré's qualitative theory of dynamical systems. First Whitney. A surface is projected onto a plane. Somewhere the surface is folded, so that the inverse of the projection is multi-valued. Now, the plane may represent the possible values of the control parameters of a dynamic system, and the surface the possible states of the system. Moving continuously in the plane across the boundary between a single-valued and a multi-valued region may cause a jump on the surface to one of the other sheets--i.e. a small external change causes the system's state to change drastically: a "catastrophe". Poincaré's bifurcation theory of dynamical systems may now be perceived similarly on a metalevel where the systems themselves are points in a space--again an infinitesimal move in the system space may cause drastic changes of the system's equilibria. This type of geometric thinking may then be used in applications--but only sober ones, mind you: elasticity, optics, etc. Back in the old days Thom quite successfully pushed his catastrophe theory on gullible non-mathematicians. Arnol'd states his own view on those matters clearly and repeatedly throughout the book. From the preface: "Neither in 1965 nor later was I ever able to understand a word of Thom's own talks on catastrophes. He once described them to me as 'bla, bla, bla'". Arnol'd instead prefers the mathematical meat and potatoes of catastrophe theory: the theory of singularities. If only one were as enthusiastic as Arnol'd about singularity classification theorems then this would be very interesting indeed.

Outstanding introduction for life and behavioral scientists........1998-12-12

Catastrophe theory was the first mathematical "advance" to receive extensive coverage in the popular press since quantum mechanics. The interest and adulation afforded to chaos theory and nonlinear dynamical systems research barely immitated the enthusiasm and later scorn generated by Thom and his followers. In retrospect it is hard to see what all the excitement was about. Perhaps that's exactly why this book deserves serious attention.

This book should be mandatory reading for anyone claiming an interest in chaos theory but who does not understand how some of the overzealousness of a new paradigm can have devestating consequences. Needless to say, those unfamiliar with contemporary mathematical advances and behavioral/life/physical applications in European literarature will find this book invaluable.

Outstanding introduction for life and behavioral scientists........1998-12-12

Book Description

This book is an introduction to the mathematical theory of design for articulated mechanical systems known as linkages. The focus is on sizing mechanical constraints that guide the movement of a workpiece, or end-effector, of the system. The function of the device is prescribed as a set of positions to be reachable by the end-effector; and the mechanical constraints are formed by joints that limit relative movement. The goal is to find all the devices that can achieve a specific task. Formulated in this way the design problem is purely geometric in character. Robot manipulators, walking machines, and mechanical hands are examples of articulated mechanical systems that rely on simple mechanical constraints to provide a complex workspace for the end- effector. The principles presented in this book form the foundation for a design theory for these devices. The emphasis, however, is on articulated systems with fewer degrees of freedom than that of the typical robotic system, and therefore, less complexity. This book will be useful to mathematics, engineering and computer science departments teaching courses on mathematical modelling of robotics and other articulated mechanical systems.

Shadows of the Circle: Conic Sections, Optimal Figures and Non-Euclidean Geometry

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Shadows of the Circle: Conic Sections, Optimal Figures and Non-Euclidean Geometry
Vagn Lundsgaard Hansen
Manufacturer: World Scientific Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Applied Shape Optimization for Fluids (Numerical Mathematics and Scientific Computation)

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Applied Shape Optimization for Fluids (Numerical Mathematics and Scientific Computation)
B. Mohammadi , and O. Pironneau
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 0198507437

Book Description

The fields of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and optimal shape design (OSD) have received considerable attention in the recent past, and are of practical importance for many engineering applications. The present book deals with shape optimization problems for fluids, with the equations needed for their understanding (Euler and Navier Stokes), and with the numerical simulation of these problems. Automatic differentiation, approximate gradients, and automatic mesh refinement as the new tools of optimal shape design are introduced, and their implementation into the industrial environments of aerospace and automobile equipment industry explained and illustrated.

Contemporary Design Theory: A Collection of Surveys (Wiley-Interscience Series in Discrete Mathematics and Optimization)

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A MUST HAVE for the design theorist

Contemporary Design Theory: A Collection of Surveys (Wiley-Interscience Series in Discrete Mathematics and Optimization)

Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471531413

Book Description

Foremost experts in their field have contributed articles resulting in a compilation of useful and timely surveys in this ever-expanding field. Each of these 12 original papers covers important aspects of design theory including several in areas that have not previously been surveyed. Also contains surveys updating earlier ones where research is particularly active.

Customer Reviews:

A MUST HAVE for the design theorist.......1999-08-26

This book is an excellent collection of survey articles that spans the breadth of design theory. This book, in addition to the CRC Handbook of Combinatorial Designs should be on every design theorist's shelf.

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