Optimization by the Fixed-Point Method, Version 2.17

Abstract: After developing necessary background theory, the original primal and dual are specified, and the invariant primal and dual LP’s are defined. Pairs of linear mappings are defined which establish an effectively one-to-one correspondences between solutions to the original and invariant problems. The invariant problems are recast as a fixed-point problem and precise solution conditions … Read more

The extremal volume ellipsoids of convex bodies, their symmetry properties, and their determination in some special cases

A convex body K has associated with it a unique circumscribed ellipsoid CE(K) with minimum volume, and a unique inscribed ellipsoid IE(K) with maximum volume. We first give a unified, modern exposition of the basic theory of these extremal ellipsoids using the semi-infinite programming approach pioneered by Fritz John in his seminal 1948 paper. We … Read more

An Active-Set Algorithm for Nonlinear Programming Using Parametric Linear Programming

This paper describes an active-set algorithm for nonlinear programming that solves a parametric linear programming subproblem at each iteration to generate an estimate of the active set. A step is then computed by solving an equality constrained quadratic program based on this active-set estimate. This approach respresents an extension of the standard sequential linear-quadratic programming … Read more

Local convergence for alternating and averaged nonconvex projections

The idea of a finite collection of closed sets having “strongly regular intersection” at a given point is crucial in variational analysis. We show that this central theoretical tool also has striking algorithmic consequences. Specifically, we consider the case of two sets, one of which we assume to be suitably “regular” (special cases being convex … Read more

The Squared Slacks Transformation in Nonlinear Programming

We recall the use of squared slacks used to transform inequality constraints into equalities and several reasons why their introduction may be harmful in many algorithmic frameworks routinely used in nonlinear programming. Numerical examples performed with the sequential quadratic programming method illustrate those reasons. Citation Cahier du GERAD G-2007-62, Aug. 2007 Article Download View The … Read more

An Inexact Newton Method for Nonconvex Equality Constrained Optimization

We present a matrix-free line search algorithm for large-scale equality constrained optimization that allows for inexact step computations. For strictly convex problems, the method reduces to the inexact sequential quadratic programming approach proposed by Byrd et al. [SIAM J. Optim. 19(1) 351–369, 2008]. For nonconvex problems, the methodology developed in this paper allows for the … Read more

DIRECT SEARCH ALGORITHMS OVER RIEMANNIAN MANIFOLDS

We generalize the Nelder-Mead simplex and LTMADS algorithms and, the frame based methods for function minimization to Riemannian manifolds. Examples are given for functions defined on the special orthogonal Lie group $\mathcal{SO}(n)$ and the Grassmann manifold $\mathcal{G}(n,k)$. Our main examples are applying the generalized LTMADS algorithm to equality constrained optimization problems and, to the Whitney … Read more

EQUALITY CONSTRAINTS, RIEMANNIAN MANIFOLDS AND DIRECT SEARCH METHODS

We present a general procedure for handling equality constraints in optimization problems that is of particular use in direct search methods. First we will provide the necessary background in differential geometry. In particular, we will see what a Riemannian manifold is, what a tangent space is, how to move over a manifold and how to … Read more

DIRECT SEARCH METHODS OVER LIPSCHITZ MANIFOLDS

We extend direct search methods to optimization problems that include equality constraints given by Lipschitz functions. The equality constraints are assumed to implicitly define a Lipschitz manifold. Numerically implementing the inverse (implicit) function theorem allows us to define a new problem on the tangent spaces of the manifold. We can then use a direct search … Read more

A SIMPLICIAL CONTINUATION DIRECT SEARCH METHOD

A direct search method for the class of problems considered by Lewis and Torczon [\textit{SIAM J. Optim.}, 12 (2002), pp. 1075-1089] is developed. Instead of using an augmented Lagrangian method, a simplicial approximation method to the feasible set is implicitly employed. This allows the points our algorithm considers to conveniently remain within an \textit{a priori} … Read more