Stories About Maxima and Minima.

Abstract

Part One: Ancient maximum and minimum problems Why do we solve maximum and minimum problems? The oldest problem--Dido's problem Maxima and minima in nature (optics$)$ Maxima and minima in geometry Maxima and minima in algebra and in analysis Kepler's problem The brachistochrone Newton's aerodynamical problem Part Two: Methods of solution of extremal problems What is a function? What is an extremal problem? Extrema of functions of one variable Extrema of functions of many variables. Lagrange's principle More problem solving What happened later in the theory of extremal problems? More accurately, a discussion.