# Difference between revisions of "Optimization"

Optimization is simply finding the maximum or minimum possible value. In order to prove that a value is a maximum or minimum, one needs to prove that the value is attainable and that there is no higher or lower value (depending on the problem) that works.

## Optimization Techniques

• There are multiple ways to determine the maximum or minimum (depending of the leading term) of a quadratic (depending on the form).
• If the quadratic is in the form $a(x-h)^2+k$ (vertex form), the maximum or minimum of the quadratic is $k$ by the Trivial Inequality.
• If the quadratic is in the form $ax^2 + bx + c$ (standard form), the maximum or minimum of the quadratic is achieved when $x = -\tfrac{b}{2a}$. This can be derived by completing the square.
• The maximum of $\sin (x)$ and $\cos (x)$ is 1, and the minimum of $\sin (x)$ and $\cos (x)$ is -1.
• One can also use coordinate geometry to determine the maximum or minimum. Optimization is often done when two figures touch each other exactly once.
• In calculus, for a function $f(x)$, the local maximums and local minimums are part of the critical points of the function. The x-values of the critical points can be found by taking the derivative of $f(x)$ and setting it to equal 0. In order to find the absolute maximum or minimum, one needs to also check the endpoints of an interval.