Highly readable text elucidates applications of the chain rule of differentiation, integration by parts, parametric curves, line integrals, double integrals, and elementary differential equations. Clear, well-illustrated treatment addresses optimization problems in a diverse array of fields. Only basic knowledge of calculus required. 1974 edition.
Here's a sample of other books in this Dover category
Optimization Theory with Applications by Donald A. Pierre Broad-spectrum approach to important topic. Explores the classic theory of minima and maxima, classical calculus of variations, simplex technique and linear programming, optimality and dynamic programming, more. 1969 edition.
Variational Analysis: Critical Extremals and Sturmian Extensions by Marston Morse This text presents extended separation, comparison, and oscillation theorems that replace classical analysis. Its analysis of related quadratic functionals shows how critical extremals can substitute for minimizing extremals. 1973 edition.
Analytical Methods of Optimization by D. F. Lawden Suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students, this text surveys the classical theory of the calculus of variations. Topics include static systems, control systems, additional constraints, the Hamilton-Jacobi equation, and the accessory optimization problem. 1975 edition.
Statistical Optimization for Geometric Computation: Theory and Practice by Kenichi Kanatani This text discusses the mathematical foundations of statistical inference for building 3-dimensional models from image and sensor data that contain noise — a task involving autonomous robots guided by video cameras and sensors.
Variational Principles by B. L. Moiseiwitsch This text shows how variational principles are used to determine the discrete eigenvalues for stationary state problems and to illustrate how to find the values of quantities that arise in the theory of scattering. 1966 edition.
