On the optimality of given feedback controls (Q1122134)

We show how to construct a Lagrange problem which has the property that its extremals are the solutions of a given differential equation and which satisfies certain structural assumptions. These assumptions require that the integrand is either a concave function or that it is additively separable. In the first case, which is relevant in economics, we present a continuous-time analogue of the indeterminacy result of \textit{M. Boldrin} and \textit{L. Montrucchio} [J. Econ. Theory 40, No.1, 26-39 (1986; Zbl 0662.90021)]. The second case is illustrated by a minimum principle for the logistic growth function.