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Given a <function> $f$:
* from some space. For beginners the <real numbers> but more generally <topological spaces> should work in general
* to the <real numbers>
we want to find the points $x$ of the <domain (function)> of $f$ where the value of $f$ is smaller (for minima, or larger for maxima) than all other points in some <neighbourhood (mathematics)> of $x$.

In the case of <Functionals>, this problem is treated under the theory of the <calculus of variations>.


Maxima and minima

{tag=Maxima and minima}
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Calculus of variations is the field that searches for <maxima and minima> of <Functionals>, rather than the more elementary case of functions from $\R$ to $\R$.


Ciro Santilli @cirosantilli 37

 Incoming links: Calculus of variations