Transform a problem description into a mathematical form by defining variables, objectives, and constraints, so that it can be solved with optimization techniques.
Write objectives and constraints with expressions of optimization variables. Solve faster and more robustly with automatic differentiation on the nonlinear expressions. Apply an automatically selected solver. Interactively create and solve the problem with the Optimize Live Editor task and then generate code for sharing or use in your application.
Write nonlinear objectives and constraints using functions; write linear objectives and constraints using coefficient matrices. Interactively create and solve the problem with the Optimize Live Editor task and then generate code for sharing or use in your application.
Choosing a Solver
Use the Optimize Live Editor task with the problem-based or solver-based approach to help choose a solver suitable for the type of problem.
Set optimization options to tune the optimization process, for example, to choose the optimization algorithm used by the solver, or to set termination conditions. Set options to monitor and plot optimization solver progress.
Reviewing and Improving Results
Review the exit messages, optimality measures, and the iterative display to assess the solution. Improve performance on nonlinear problems by using automatic differentiation, supplying gradients, or using parallel computing to estimate gradients.
Apply quasi-Newton, trust-region, or Nelder-Mead simplex algorithms to solve unconstrained problems. Apply interior-point, sequential-quadratic-programming (SQP), or trust-region-reflective algorithms to solve constrained problems.
Use nonlinear optimization for estimating and tuning parameters, finding optimal designs, computing optimal trajectories, constructing robust portfolios, and other applications where there is a nonlinear relationship between variables.
Linear Programming Solvers
Apply dual-simplex or interior-point algorithms to solve linear programs.
Quadratic and Second-Order Cone Programming Solvers
Apply interior-point, active-set, or trust-region-reflective algorithms to solve quadratic programs. Apply interior-point methods to solve second-order cone programs.
Use linear programming on problems such as resource allocation, production planning, blending, and investment planning. Use quadratic and second-order cone programming on problems such as design optimization, portfolio optimization, and control of hydroelectric dams.
Solve mixed-integer linear programming problems using the branch and bound algorithm, which includes preprocessing, heuristics for generating feasible points, and cutting planes.
Mixed-Integer Linear Programming-Based Algorithms
Use the mixed-integer linear programming solver to build special-purpose algorithms.
Model with integer variables when there are on/off decisions or logical constraints as well as when variable values must be integral. Routing, scheduling, planning, assignment, and capital budgeting problems are typical applications.
Formulate problems as either goal-attainment or minimax. Use goal-attainment when there are optionally weighted goal values for each of the objectives. Use minimax to minimize the worst-case value of a set of objective functions.
Use multiobjective optimization when tradeoffs are required for conflicting objectives. Examples are weight and strength in structural design and risk and return in portfolio optimization.
Apply Levenberg-Marquardt, trust-region, active-set, or interior-point algorithms.
Linear Least-Squares Applications
Use linear least-squares solvers to fit a linear model to acquired data or to solve a system of linear equations, including when the parameters are subject to bound and linear constraints.
Nonlinear Least-Squares Applications
Use nonlinear least-squares solvers to fit a nonlinear model to acquired data or to solve a system of nonlinear equations, including when the parameters are subject to bound constraints.