Duality and Perturbation Methods in Critical Point Theory [Paperback]

Describes a approach to critical point theory and presents a whole new array of duality and perturbation methods.The calculus of variations is a method for finding stable solutions to optimization problems. To find unstable ones, Morse theory and min-max methods are more appropriate, despite difficulties in applying them universally. Professor Ghoussoub describes a new point of view that may help when dealing with such difficulties. Building upon min-max approach, he systematically develops a general theory and presents a whole new array of duality and perturbation methods. The the book reasonably self-contained. Consequently, it should be accessible to all mathematicians,economists and engineers working in nonlinear analysis or optimization.The calculus of variations is a method for finding stable solutions to optimization problems. To find unstable ones, Morse theory and min-max methods are more appropriate, despite difficulties in applying them universally. Professor Ghoussoub describes a new point of view that may help when dealing with such difficulties. Building upon min-max approach, he systematically develops a general theory and presents a whole new array of duality and perturbation methods. The the book reasonably self-contained. Consequently, it should be accessible to all mathematicians,economists and engineers working in nonlinear analysis or optimization.Building on min-max methods, Professor Ghoussoub systematically develops a general theory that can be applied in a variety of situations. In so doing he also presents a whole new array of duality and perturbation methods. The prerequisites for following this book are relatively few; an appendix sketching certain methods in analysis makes the book self-contained.1. Lipschitz and smooth perturbed minimization principles; 2. Linear and plurisubharmonic perturbed minimization principles; 3. The classical min-max theorem; 4. A strong form of the min-max principle; 5. Relaxed boundary conditions in the presel£Ù