Focusing on the study of nonsmooth vector functions, this book presents a comprehensive account of the calculus of generalized Jacobian matrices and their applications to continuous nonsmooth optimization problems, as well as variational inequalities in finite dimensions. The treatment is motivated by a desire to expose an elementary approach to nonsmooth calculus, using a set of matrices to replace the nonexistent Jacobian matrix of a continuous vector function.

Until now, no book addressed convexity, monotonicity, and variational inequalities together. Generalized Convexity, Nonsmooth Variational Inequalities, and Nonsmooth Optimization covers all three topics, including new variational inequality problems defined by a bifunction. The first part of the book focuses on generalized convexity and generalized monotonicity. The authors investigate convexity and generalized convexity for both the differentiable and nondifferentiable case. For the nondifferentiable case, they introduce the concepts in terms of a bifunction and the Clarke subdifferential. The second part offers insight into variational inequalities and optimization problems in smooth as well as nonsmooth settings. The book discusses existence and uniqueness criteria for a variational inequality, the gap function associated with it, and numerical methods to solve it. It also examines characterizations of a solution set of an optimization problem and explores variational inequalities defined by a bifunction and set-valued version given in terms of the Clarke subdifferential. Integrating results on convexity, monotonicity, and variational inequalities into one unified source, this book deepens your understanding of various classes of problems, such as systems of nonlinear equations, optimization problems, complementarity problems, and fixed-point problems. The book shows how variational inequality theory not only serves as a tool for formulating a variety of equilibrium problems, but also provides algorithms for computational purposes.

This volume contains a collection of papers based on lectures and presentations delivered at the International Conference on Constructive Nonsmooth Analysis (CNSA) held in St. Petersburg (Russia) from June 18-23, 2012. This conference was organized to mark the 50th anniversary of the birth of nonsmooth analysis and nondifferentiable optimization and was dedicated to J.-J. Moreau and the late B.N. Pshenichnyi, A.M. Rubinov, and N.Z. Shor, whose contributions to NSA and NDO remain invaluable. The first four chapters of the book are devoted to the theory of nonsmooth analysis. Chapters 5-8 contain new results in nonsmooth mechanics and calculus of variations. Chapters 9-13 are related to nondifferentiable optimization, and the volume concludes with four chapters containing interesting and important historical chapters, including tributes to three giants of nonsmooth analysis, convexity, and optimization: Alexandr Alexandrov, Leonid Kantorovich, and Alex Rubinov. The last chapter provides an overview and important snapshots of the 50-year history of convex analysis and optimization.

This book presents some 20 papers describing recent developments in advanced variational analysis, optimization, and control systems, especially those based on modern variational techniques and tools of generalized differentiation.

rd This book constitutes a collection of extended versions of papers presented at the 23 IFIP TC7 Conference on System Modeling and Optimization, which was held in C- cow, Poland, on July 23–27, 2007. It contains 7 plenary and 22 contributed articles, the latter selected via a peer reviewing process. Most of the papers are concerned with optimization and optimal control. Some of them deal with practical issues, e. g. , p- formance-based design for seismic risk reduction, or evolutionary optimization in structural engineering. Many contributions concern optimization of infini- dimensional systems, ranging from a general overview of the variational analysis, through optimization and sensitivity analysis of PDE systems, to optimal control of neutral systems. A significant group of papers is devoted to shape analysis and opti- zation. Sufficient optimality conditions for ODE problems, and stochastic control methods applied to mathematical finance, are also investigated. The remaining papers are on mathematical programming, modeling, and information technology. The conference was the 23rd event in the series of such meetings biennially org- ized under the auspices of the Seventh Technical Committee “Systems Modeling and Optimization” of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP TC7).

The proposed book provides a comprehensive coverage of theory and methods in the areas of continuous optimization and variational inequality. It describes theory and solution methods for optimization with smooth and non-smooth functions, for variational inequalities with single-valued and multivalued mappings, and for related classes such as mixed variational inequalities, complementarity problems, and general equilibrium problems. The emphasis is made on revealing generic properties of these problems that allow creation of efficient solution methods. Salient Features The book presents a deep, wide-ranging introduction to the theory of the optimal control of processes governed by optimization techniques and variational inequality Several solution methods are provided which will help the reader to develop various optimization tools for real-life problems which can be modeled by optimization techniques involving linear and nonlinear functions. The book focuses on most recent contributions in the nonlinear phenomena, which can appear in various areas of human activities. This book also presents relevant mathematics clearly and simply to help solve real life problems in diverse fields such as mechanical engineering, management, control behavior, traffic signal, industry, etc. This book is aimed primarily at advanced undergraduates and graduate students pursuing computer engineering and electrical engineering courses. Researchers, academicians and industry people will also find this book useful.

Calculus Without Derivatives expounds the foundations and recent advances in nonsmooth analysis, a powerful compound of mathematical tools that obviates the usual smoothness assumptions. This textbook also provides significant tools and methods towards applications, in particular optimization problems. Whereas most books on this subject focus on a particular theory, this text takes a general approach including all main theories. In order to be self-contained, the book includes three chapters of preliminary material, each of which can be used as an independent course if needed. The first chapter deals with metric properties, variational principles, decrease principles, methods of error bounds, calmness and metric regularity. The second one presents the classical tools of differential calculus and includes a section about the calculus of variations. The third contains a clear exposition of convex analysis.

Building on fundamental results in variational analysis, this monograph presents new and recent developments in the field as well as selected applications. Accessible to a broad spectrum of potential readers, the main material is presented in finite-dimensional spaces. Infinite-dimensional developments are discussed at the end of each chapter with comprehensive commentaries which emphasize the essence of major results, track the genesis of ideas, provide historical comments, and illuminate challenging open questions and directions for future research. The first half of the book (Chapters 1–6) gives a systematic exposition of key concepts and facts, containing basic material as well as some recent and new developments. These first chapters are particularly accessible to masters/doctoral students taking courses in modern optimization, variational analysis, applied analysis, variational inequalities, and variational methods. The reader’s development of skills will be facilitated as they work through each, or a portion of, the multitude of exercises of varying levels. Additionally, the reader may find hints and references to more difficult exercises and are encouraged to receive further inspiration from the gems in chapter commentaries. Chapters 7–10 focus on recent results and applications of variational analysis to advanced problems in modern optimization theory, including its hierarchical and multiobjective aspects, as well as microeconomics, and related areas. It will be of great use to researchers and professionals in applied and behavioral sciences and engineering.