Lecture 6.2: first steps with local optimization: the role of derivatives
Completion requirements
Local optimization to the rescue: local minima, attraction basins, unimodal functions. (Fast, local) univariate optimization requires information: first and second derivatives, the first-order model, stationary points (maxima, minima, saddle points). Continuous differentiability (the C^1 and C^2 classes). Computing derivatives in practice (symbolic systems, automatic differentiation).