Applied Optimization with MATLAB Programming [Hardcover]

P. Venkataraman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 12, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0471349585 | ISBN-13: 978-0471349587 | Edition: 1

A new approach to learning classical optimization methods-numerical techniques modeled and illustrated via MATLAB

This unique and timely volume combines a formal presentation of classical methods of design optimization with detailed instruction in the application of these methods using MATLAB. It introduces readers to the symbolic, numerical, and graphic features of MATLAB and integrates this powerful combination in the translation of many algorithms into applied optimization techniques with animation.

Applied Optimization with MATLAB Programming develops all necessary mathematical concepts, illustrates abstract mathematical ideas of optimization using MATLAB's rich graphics features, and introduces new programming skills incrementally as optimization concepts are presented. This valuable learning tool:
* Focuses on real-world optimization techniques
* Covers all areas of optimization, including linear, nonlinear, discrete, and global
* Includes creative examples from many disciplines
* Presents a number of practical, open-ended design problems
* Features an accompanying Web site with MATLAB code for all the numerical techniques and examples in the book


This one-of-a-kind resource enables senior-undergraduate and graduate students in engineering and other design disciplines to develop practical programming skills as they master the concepts of optimization. It is also an excellent self-teaching guide for design engineers in all fields of endeavor.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A new approach to learning classical optimization methods–numerical techniques modeled and illustrated via MATLAB

This unique and timely volume combines a formal presentation of classical methods of design optimization with detailed instruction in the application of these methods using MATLAB. It introduces readers to the symbolic, numerical, and graphic features of MATLAB and integrates this powerful combination in the translation of many algorithms into applied optimization techniques with animation.

Applied Optimization with MATLAB® Programming develops all necessary mathematical concepts, illustrates abstract mathematical ideas of optimization using MATLAB’s rich graphics features, and introduces new programming skills incrementally as optimization concepts are presented. This valuable learning tool:

• Focuses on real-world optimization techniques
• Covers all areas of optimization, including linear, nonlinear, discrete, and global
• Includes creative examples from many disciplines
• Presents a number of practical, open-ended design problems
• Features an accompanying Web site with MATLAB code for all the numerical techniques and examples in the book

This one-of-a-kind resource enables senior-undergraduate and graduate students in engineering and other design disciplines to develop practical programming skills as they master the concepts of optimization. It is also an excellent self-teaching guide for design engineers in all fields of endeavor.

About the Author

P. VENKATARAMAN is Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience; 1 edition (December 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471349585
• ISBN-13: 978-0471349587
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #337,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great self teaching tool, January 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Applied Optimization with MATLAB Programming (Hardcover)

In this text the author chooses MATLAB as the tool in running computer-based optimization problems. This approach clearly covers all levels of optimization, and the book further supports this coverage through many helpful examples that balance theory with the application. The open-ended problems that are provided are a helpful mechanism for reinforcing the lessons of the text. The website that is a companion to the book, helped me access the reference links to the MATLAB software and the author's own personal site. This web site is a true lifeline to the book.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Maybe for someone...., September 10, 2009

By 

Christina M. Dunlap "Tina" (Arkansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Applied Optimization with MATLAB Programming (Hardcover)

This textbook was required for my Optimization Methods class for a group of Systems Engineers with varrying specialities. This book is written with the assumption that everyone using it has a strong background in mechanics and materials. My classmates and I are majoring in Systems Engineering and all have varying foci (Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, and Telecommunication Engineering). Most of the people in my class have never even had a mechanics and materials class, and those that have do not consider themselves prepared enough to use this text book.


All in all, this book is highly impractical for my (and my classmate's) usage.


The good news: It was cheap on Amazon.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Short on details; Bad Matlab code, December 23, 2010

By 

Eric "shie0041" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Applied Optimization with MATLAB Programming (Hardcover)

This book skips on some key details. For example, the linesearch methods for unconstrained minimization problems is left to a couple poorly-documented Matlab functions. Some discussion of linesearch methods should be considered in the text.

Secondly, the Matlab code is terrible. Consider lines 48-52 of UpperBound_nVar.m:

48: for i = 1:ntrials;
49: j = 0; dela = j*das; a00 = a0 + dela;
50: dx0 = a00*s; x0 = x + dx0; f0 = feval(functname,x0);
51: j = j+1; dela = j*das; a01 = a0 + dela;
52: dx1 = a01*s; x1 = x + dx1; f1 = feval(functname,x1);

Each iteration through the loop, j is initialized to 0. So dela is 0 and a00 = a0. These variables are not used elsewhere. So lines 49-52 could be simply replaced by

x0 = x + a0*s;
x1 = x + (a0 + das)*s
f0 = feval(functname, x + x0);
f1 = feval(functname, x + x1);

This is considerably easier to read than the author's code (4 assignment operations compared to 12). The variables j, dela, a00, dx0, a01, and dx1 never need to be created. Creating these variables makes the algorithm, which is not documented in the text, nearly intractable to read without converting to decent code. My guess is the author translated some ancient Fortran code into Matlab without taking the time to clean it up.

So to summarize:
1. This book skimps on details pertaining to the algorithms it has code for.
2. The code is hard to follow because of the author's programming style.

This book might be useful if you're looking for canned algorithms, but I would first check the Matlab File Exchange. This book is not useful for learning the details of how to implement these algorithms.