1
$\begingroup$

Say I had a function like the following:

f[n_] := Sum[a + Subscript[b, k], {k, 0, n}]

Such that f[5] == 6 a + Subscript[b, 0] + Subscript[b, 1] + Subscript[b, 2] + Subscript[b, 3] + Subscript[b, 4] + Subscript[b, 5]

How would I go about minimizing f with respect to both a and all of the subscripted bs? How would I go about minimizing f[5] without manually supplying {a, Subscript[b, 0], Subscript[b, 1], Subscript[b, 2], Subscript[b, 3], Subscript[b, 4], Subscript[b, 5]} as the vars param?

I'm asking about a specific simplified case here, but hopefully answers will be applicable in the general case and to other functions that take a vars param other than Minimize[]

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ did you look at this, this or any of the other similar questions around this site? $\endgroup$
    – acl
    Commented Jul 18, 2014 at 16:55

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
0
$\begingroup$

While this has been answered many times, let me answer it once more:

varnum = 10;
vars = Symbol["a" <> ToString[#]] & /@ Range[varnum];
of = Total[-vars^2 + vars^4];
Minimize[of, vars]

enter image description here

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ It would be more straightforward to define vars by vars = Array[a, varnum] $\endgroup$
    – Bob Hanlon
    Commented Jul 18, 2014 at 17:47
  • $\begingroup$ @BobHanlon Perhaps, but I wanted them to be symbols $\endgroup$
    – acl
    Commented Jul 18, 2014 at 17:48

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.