The following animated films
visualizes the difference between
local and global optimization
strategies.
Mathematically, the problem is as follows: Given a continous function f(x,y) with real variables, find its minimum on a given domain. If the function is nice enough, then one can find local optima by classical methods. However, finding the optimum on the whole domain is usually difficult.
The story: Suppose that the deepest point on the surface on an unknown planet should be found. We send out robots, capable of sensing the altitude , but they cannot see further than 3 feet.
The robot
The robots land on the planet
A lucky robot finds a deep hole
In a larger picture, we will see that the hole is far from being the deepest one!
A possible solution: climbing out of the hole and trying to find a deeper one.
Good bye, robot!
Note on use: Save, Use, Link, but do not mirror:
These videos are copyrighted materials.
You are allowed
However, you are not allowed (without our explicit, written permission):
Mathematically, the problem is as follows: Given a continous function f(x,y) with real variables, find its minimum on a given domain. If the function is nice enough, then one can find local optima by classical methods. However, finding the optimum on the whole domain is usually difficult.
The story: Suppose that the deepest point on the surface on an unknown planet should be found. We send out robots, capable of sensing the altitude , but they cannot see further than 3 feet.
The robot
The robots land on the planet
A lucky robot finds a deep hole
In a larger picture, we will see that the hole is far from being the deepest one!
A possible solution: climbing out of the hole and trying to find a deeper one.
Good bye, robot!
Note on use: Save, Use, Link, but do not mirror:
These videos are copyrighted materials.
You are allowed
- to
use these videos freely for educational and research presentations:
- you can present them in classrooms and conferences ,
- you can link to them,
- you
can store them on your own computer or removable data storage.
However, you are not allowed (without our explicit, written permission):
- to
mirror them on your servers,
- to make copies for distribution to others,
- to
broadcast them in TV shows,
- to
use them as a part of any presentations, other than educational or
research.