What is Optimal control?
'''Optimal control theory''' is a [[theory]] from [[mathematics]]. It looks at how to find a good (usually optimal) solution in a dynamic system. The system is described by a [[Function (mathematics)|function]], and the problem often is to find values that minimize or maximize this function over an [[Interval (mathematics)|interval]]. There are several questions that arise: # Are there any solutions, and can they be found? # Are there any necessary conditions? # Are these conditions sufficient? In addition, there may be state restrictions. The state the system is in at a given point in time has to meet certain conditions. Most of the foundations of optimal control theory were done by [[Lev Pontryagin]], in the Soviet Union, and [[Richard E. Bellman|Richard Bellman]] in the United States. An example of an optimal control problem might be a driver who wants to get from A to B in as little time as possible. There may be more than one route from A to B, and most of the time, the roads have speed limits. [[Category:Mathematics]]