an Introduction to Optimal Control Theory

Combining two important and growing areas of applied mathematics—control theory and modeling—this textbook introduces and builds on methods for simulating and tackling problems in a variety of applied sciences. Control theory has moved from primarily being used in engineering to an important theoretical component for optimal strategies in other sciences, such as therapies in medicine or policy in economics. Applied to mathematical models, control theory has the power to change the way we view biological and financial systems, taking us a step closer to solving concrete problems that arise out of these systems.