A monograph that derives necessary conditions of optimality for a general control problem formulated in terms of a differential inclusion. It expresses The Euler, Weierstrass and transversality conditions.

Since its initial publication, this text has defined courses in dynamic optimization taught to economics and management science students. The two-part treatment covers the calculus of variations and optimal control. 1998 edition.

INTRODUCTION 1.

Game theory is the theory of social situations, and the majority of research into the topic focuses on how groups of people interact by developing formulas and algorithms to identify optimal strategies and to predict the outcome of interactions. Only fifty years old, it has already revolutionized economics and finance, and is spreading rapidly to a wide variety of fields. LQ Dynamic Optimization and Differential Games is an assessment of the state of the art in its field and the first modern book on linear-quadratic game theory, one of the most commonly used tools for modelling and analysing strategic decision making problems in economics and management. Linear quadratic dynamic models have a long tradition in economics, operations research and control engineering; and the author begins by describing the one-decision maker LQ dynamic optimization problem before introducing LQ differential games. Covers cooperative and non-cooperative scenarios, and treats the standard information structures (open-loop and feedback). Includes real-life economic examples to illustrate theoretical concepts and results. Presents problem formulations and sound mathematical problem analysis. Includes exercises and solutions, enabling use for self-study or as a course text. Supported by a website featuring solutions to exercises, further examples and computer code for numerical examples. LQ Dynamic Optimization and Differential Games offers a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of this extensively used class of economic models, and will appeal to applied mathematicians and econometricians as well as researchers and senior undergraduate/graduate students in economics, mathematics, engineering and management science.

"Dynamic Optimization" takes an applied approach to its subject, offering many examples and solved problems that draw from aerospace, robotics, and mechanics. The abundance of thoroughly tested general algorithms and Matlab codes provide the reader with the practice necessary to master this inherently difficult subject, while the realistic engineering problems and examples keep the material interesting and relevant. FEATURES/BENEFITS Covers dynamic programming, relating it to the calculus of variations and optimal control, and neighboring optimum control (differential dynamic programming), a practical method for nonlinear feedback control. Includes a disk that contains 40 gradient and shooting codes, as well as codes that solve the time-varying Riccati equation (the DYNOPT Toolbox). These codes have been thoroughly tested on hundreds of problems. Contains many realistic examples and problems. Solutions to the examples and problems, as well as the codes that produce the figures, are included on the accompanying disk. Covers dynamic optimization with inequality constraints and singular arcs using inverse dynamic optimization (differential inclusion).

This collection of original articles and surveys written by leading experts in their fields is dedicated to Arrigo Cellina and James A. Yorke on the occasion of their 65th birthday. The volume brings the reader to the border of research in differential equations, a fast evolving branch of mathematics that, besides being a main subject for mathematicians, is one of the mathematical tools most used both by scientists and engineers.

Optimal control theory is a technique being used increasingly by academic economists to study problems involving optimal decisions in a multi-period framework. This textbook is designed to make the difficult subject of optimal control theory easily accessible to economists while at the same time maintaining rigour. Economic intuitions are emphasized, and examples and problem sets covering a wide range of applications in economics are provided to assist in the learning process. Theorems are clearly stated and their proofs are carefully explained. The development of the text is gradual and fully integrated, beginning with simple formulations and progressing to advanced topics such as control parameters, jumps in state variables, and bounded state space. For greater economy and elegance, optimal control theory is introduced directly, without recourse to the calculus of variations. The connection with the latter and with dynamic programming is explained in a separate chapter. A second purpose of the book is to draw the parallel between optimal control theory and static optimization. Chapter 1 provides an extensive treatment of constrained and unconstrained maximization, with emphasis on economic insight and applications. Starting from basic concepts, it derives and explains important results, including the envelope theorem and the method of comparative statics. This chapter may be used for a course in static optimization. The book is largely self-contained. No previous knowledge of differential equations is required.

Elements of Numerical Mathematical Economics with Excel: Static and Dynamic Optimization shows readers how to apply static and dynamic optimization theory in an easy and practical manner, without requiring the mastery of specific programming languages that are often difficult and expensive to learn. Featuring user-friendly numerical discrete calculations developed within the Excel worksheets, the book includes key examples and economic applications solved step-by-step and then replicated in Excel. After introducing the fundamental tools of mathematical economics, the book explores the classical static optimization theory of linear and nonlinear programming, applying the core concepts of microeconomics and some portfolio theory. This provides a background for the more challenging worksheet applications of the dynamic optimization theory. The book also covers special complementary topics such as inventory modelling, data analysis for business and economics, and the essential elements of Monte Carlo analysis. Practical and accessible, Elements of Numerical Mathematical Economics with Excel: Static and Dynamic Optimization increases the computing power of economists worldwide. This book is accompanied by a companion website that includes Excel examples presented in the book, exercises, and other supplementary materials that will further assist in understanding this useful framework. - Explains how Excel provides a practical numerical approach to optimization theory and analytics - Increases access to the economic applications of this universally-available, relatively simple software program - Encourages readers to go to the core of theoretical continuous calculations and learn more about optimization processes

From the reviews: "The style of the book reflects the author’s wish to assist in the effective learning of optimal control by suitable choice of topics, the mathematical level used, and by including numerous illustrated examples. . . .In my view the book suits its function and purpose, in that it gives a student a comprehensive coverage of optimal control in an easy-to-read fashion." —Measurement and Control