Elements of Dynamic Optimization


Book Description

INTRODUCTION 1.




Elements of Dynamic Optimization


Book Description

Designed to be used with Chiang's "Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics", or independently at advanced undergraduate or graduate level, this text presents an in-depth exploration of dynamic optimization in economics.




Dynamic Optimization, Second Edition


Book Description

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.




Elements of Numerical Mathematical Economics with Excel


Book Description

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




Dynamic Optimization


Book Description

This book explores discrete-time dynamic optimization and provides a detailed introduction to both deterministic and stochastic models. Covering problems with finite and infinite horizon, as well as Markov renewal programs, Bayesian control models and partially observable processes, the book focuses on the precise modelling of applications in a variety of areas, including operations research, computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, economics and finance. Dynamic Optimization is a carefully presented textbook which starts with discrete-time deterministic dynamic optimization problems, providing readers with the tools for sequential decision-making, before proceeding to the more complicated stochastic models. The authors present complete and simple proofs and illustrate the main results with numerous examples and exercises (without solutions). With relevant material covered in four appendices, this book is completely self-contained.




Optimal Control Theory and Static Optimization in Economics


Book Description

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.




Foundations of Dynamic Economic Analysis


Book Description

Foundations of Dynamic Economic Analysis presents a modern and thorough exposition of the fundamental mathematical formalism used to study optimal control theory, i.e., continuous time dynamic economic processes, and to interpret dynamic economic behavior. The style of presentation, with its continual emphasis on the economic interpretation of mathematics and models, distinguishes it from several other excellent texts on the subject. This approach is aided dramatically by introducing the dynamic envelope theorem and the method of comparative dynamics early in the exposition. Accordingly, motivated and economically revealing proofs of the transversality conditions come about by use of the dynamic envelope theorem. Furthermore, such sequencing of the material naturally leads to the development of the primal-dual method of comparative dynamics and dynamic duality theory, two modern approaches used to tease out the empirical content of optimal control models. The stylistic approach ultimately draws attention to the empirical richness of optimal control theory, a feature missing in virtually all other textbooks of this type.




LQ Dynamic Optimization and Differential Games


Book Description

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.




A Concise Guide to Dynamic Optimization


Book Description

This paper provides a concise guide to dynamic optimization with an integral treatment on various optimal control and dynamic programming problems. It presents essential theorems and methods for obtaining and characterizing solutions to these problems. The paper discusses Pontryagin's maximum principle in optimal control theory under infinite-time horizon and fixed and variable finite-time horizons, discounting vs. no discounting, discrete- vs. continuous-time cases, and the classical calculus of variations method. It also discusses Bellman's principle of optimality in dynamic programming and its relation to the maximum principle. Some elements of stochastic dynamic programming are also discussed.




Dynamics of Flexible Multibody Systems


Book Description

A new approach is presented in this book for modelling multi-body systems, which constitutes a substantial enhancement of the Rigid Finite Element method. The new approach is based on homogeneous transformations and joint coordinates. Apart from its simple physical interpretation and easy computer implementation, the method is also valuable for educational purposes since it impressively illustrates the impact of mechanical features on the mathematical model.