Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
Optimization hinders evolution!
ME256 Variational methods and structural optimization Jan.-May, 2008
Instructor: G. K. Ananthasuresh, Room 106, ME Building, suresh at mecheng.iisc.ernet.in
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Homework #2
Assigned: Jan. 17th, 2008
Due: Jan. 22nd, 2008
Points: 20

  1. 10 points
    Formulate the following problem as an optimization problem in finite number of variables or as a problem of calculus of variations.
    "Given three points in a plane, find the largest equilateral triangle that can be circumscribed about the three points."
  2. 10 points
    Formulate the following problem as an optimization problem in finite number of variables or as a s problem of calculus of varations.
    "Given any six (for that matter any number) of points in a plane, find the road-connectivity among them so that the total length of the roads is minimum." That is, given six cities on a map, connect them with roads so that there is a road between any two cities. You should strive to make the total length of the roads as small as possible.