Calculus of variations

Crédit : 5 ECTS
Langue du cours : anglais

Volume horaire

  • CM : 39 h
  • Volume horaire global (hors stage) : 39 h

Compétences à acquérir

Introduction to the calculus of variations, with a focus on convex and one-dimensional variational problems.

Description du contenu de l'enseignement

  • Introduction to variational problems in infinite dimension
    • Classical examples: geodesics, brachistochrone, Ramsey growth model, Bolza problem
    • Relation to optimal control
    • Euler-Lagrange equations : formal derivation, rigorous derivation when there is a smooth solution and resolution
    • Existence of solutions : direct method in the Calculus of Variations.
  • Direct method, weak convergence and weak semicontinuity
    • Weierstrass theorem
    • Weak and weak-* topology, relation with convexity, compactness
    • Weak lower semicontinuity of integral functionals of order 0
  • Convex analysis and optimization
    • Optimization of extended-real-valued functions
    • Convex sets: geometric and topological properties, Hahn–Banach
    • Convex functions: definition, regularity, subgradients and subdifferentials, convex conjugate, convex duality
  • Integral functionals of order 1
    • Sobolev spaces (in dimension 1)
    • Continuous and compact embeddings
    • Semicontinuity of integral functionals of order 1
    • Euler-Lagrange equations : weak formulation, regularity a posteriori
    • Convex duality and applications

Enseignant responsable

PAUL PEGON



Année universitaire 2023 - 2024 - Fiche modifiée le : 02-04-2026 (16H45) - Sous réserve de modification.