ABSTRACT
Optimisation methods are widely used in various œelds, including engineering, economics, management, physical sciences, social sciences, etc. ¢e task is to choose the best or a satisfactory one from amongst the feasible solutions to an optimisation problem, providing the scientiœc basis of decision-making for decision-makers. ¢e process of using optimisation methods to solve a practical problem mainly involves these two steps. First, formulate the optimisation problem which involves determining the decision variables, objective function and constraints, and possibly an analysis of the optimisation problem. Second, select an appropriate numerical method, solve the optimisation problem, test the optimal solution and make a decision accordingly. ¢is book concentrates on methods of solving optimisation problems numerically and does not address the construction of the optimisation problem for a practical problem throughout the text.
