Lesson 14: Optimization Theory

Preview

Here's the on-ramp for this lesson.


What Will We Learn?

  • In this lesson we'll learn about the theoretical aspects of optimization. In particular, we'll learn about local and absolute extrema. The former are the "hills and valleys" on a function's graph. These are great candidates for the "absolute" maximum/minimum of the function, and in the lesson we'll learn how to identify those local extrema and how to extract from them the absolute extrema.


Why Do We Need to Learn This?

  • This lesson lays out the theory of optimization. Equipped with this theory, we'll be able to optimize functions in most of the cases you'll run into in this course and later mathematics and science/social science courses (as in economics). In the next lesson we'll see some of these potential applications in action when we study the real-world applications of optimization.

Review

Learn

The lesson notes below contain a learning plan with three stages -- Learn, Reflect, and Practice -- and guidance for what to do within each stage. Some tips for you as you work through this resource, and those that it points to:

  • I recommend using Cornell Notes (or a modification of it; see this video starting at the 1:05 mark) to take notes on the lesson and the videos. This note-taking method balances detail with big-picture thinking to help you summarize and retain what you are learning. See this other video for additional note-taking techniques you might want to experiment with.

Lesson Notes

Lesson 14.pdf

Video 1 (Example 4.16)

Video 2 (Example 4.19)

Reflect

If you are currently enrolled in this course with me, submit the written reflections Google Form I have emailed you after working through the lesson notes and videos. Some tips:

  • Submit substantive, but concise, answers to each question; you will be doing the future you a big favor by taking time now to accurately and succinctly summarize what you have learned from the lesson.

  • Send yourself a copy of your reflections; they will come in handy later when you start preparing for quizzes and other assessments.

If you are not currently enrolled in this course with me, those written reflections ask three reflective questions designed to help you retain what you've learned and pinpoint any remaining areas of confusion. Those questions are:

  • Please summarize the main mathematical takeaways from the lesson notes.

  • What was the most interesting part of what you learned, and why?

  • What, if anything, do you still find confusing?

Practice

Work through the practice problems suggested below to see how much of this lesson you've understood.

Lesson 14 PP.pdf