PhyThematics 20 — Pontryagin’s maximum principle

Mario J. Pinheiro
2 min readApr 12, 2024

In optimal control theory, Pontryagin’s maximum principle is used to determine the optimal control strategy for transitioning a dynamical system between states, particularly when input or state controls are constrained. It says that any optimum control plus the optimal state trajectory are required to solve the two-point boundary value issue known as the “Hamiltonian system,” plus a maximum condition of the control Hamiltonian. Under specific convexity criteria on the goal and constraint functions, these required conditions become sufficient [1].

REFERENCES:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontryagin%27s_maximum_principle

[2] For those interested in diving deeper into the intricacies of optimal control problems, I highly recommend an in-depth course offered by MIT through their OpenCourseWare. This course, titled ‘Principles of Optimal Control (Spring 2008),’ covers a comprehensive range of topics from the foundational theories to practical applications in control systems. You can explore the full syllabus and course materials here: MIT’s Principles of Optimal Control. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone looking to expand their knowledge and expertise in this fascinating area of study.

NB-” PhyThematics “ is meant to be a short calligraphic text containing calculus or content related to science, aiming to maximize understanding of physics and natural processes and help science benefit society. For the fun of it. Remember, for better learning:

  • Write notes in books
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Originally published at http://science2be.wordpress.com on April 12, 2024.

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Mario J. Pinheiro

Seeking Wisdom from the Depths of Physics, Econophysics, and Martial Arts. Full Member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society