Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An optimization problem is a mathematical problem that involves finding the best possible solution from a set of feasible options, usually with certain constraints and an objective function.
Related terms
Feasible Solution: A feasible solution is a solution that satisfies all the given constraints in an optimization problem.
Objective Function: The objective function is a mathematical expression that represents what needs to be maximized or minimized in an optimization problem.
Global Maximum/Minimum: The global maximum/minimum is the highest/lowest value of the objective function over the entire feasible region.