An introduction to optimal control problems in life sciences and economics. From mathematical models to numerical simulation with MATLAB. (Q605739)

This book is a guide for those interested in solving real world optimal control problems, including both the theoretical analysis of their mathematical models and suitable computer programs for numerical simulation. The book is self-contained. In Chapter 1 an introduction to \texttt{MATLAB} is given, including some simple practical examples from economics and biology. In Chapter 2 the authors are concerned with a general optimal control problem governed by an ordinary differential system. The existence of an optimal control is proved and first order necessary conditions for optimality (Pontryagin's principle) are derived. Then the theoretical results are illustrated on some mathematical models from economics and life sciences. Chapter 3 is devoted to approximation gradient methods for control problems governed by ODEs. A stock management problem and an optimal harvesting problem are discussed in detail, including numerical tests. The last two chapters (Chapters 4 and 5) deal with more advanced optimal control problems related to population dynamics. Some basic results and methods from functional analysis and ODEs are provided in appendices. An extensive reference list and an index are also included. The book is intended for graduate students and researchers in mathematics, biology, economics, engineering, and other fields.