We consider stochastic discrete optimization problems where the decision variables are non-negative integers. We propose and analyze an on-line control scheme which transforms the problem into a “surrogate” continuous optimization problem and proceeds to solve the latter using standard gradient-based approaches while simultaneously updating both actual and surrogate system states. Convergence o...

We consider the problem of finding the maximum of a multivariate polynomial inside a convex polytope. We show that there is no polynomial time approximation algorithm for this problem, even one with a very poor guarantee, unless P = NP. We show that even when the polynomial is quadratic (i.e. quadratic programming) there is no polynomial time approximation unless NP is contained in quasi-polyno...

well-known seismic design codes have offered an alternative equivalent static procedure for practical purposes instead of verifying design trials with complicated step-y-step dynamic analyses. such a pattern of base-shear distribution over the building height will enforce its special stiffness and strength distribution which is not necessarily best suited for seismic design. the present study, ...

The Information-Geometric Optimization (IGO) has been introduced as a unified framework for stochastic search algorithms. Given a parametrized family of probability distributions on the search space, the IGO turns an arbitrary optimization problem on the search space into an optimization problem on the parameter space of the probability distribution family and defines a natural gradient ascent ...

This paper considers global optimization with a black-box unknown objective function that can be non-convex and non-differentiable. Such a difficult optimization problem arises in many real-world applications, such as parameter tuning in machine learning, engineering design problem, and planning with a complex physics simulator. This paper proposes a new global optimization algorithm, called Lo...

The Information-Geometric Optimization (IGO) has been introduced as a unified framework for stochastic search algorithms. Given a parametrized family of probability distributions on the search space, the IGO turns an arbitrary optimization problem on the search space into an optimization problem on the parameter space of the probability distribution family and defines a natural gradient ascent ...

in this paper, we study the problem of minimizing the ratio of two quadratic functions subject to a quadratic constraint. first we introduce a parametric equivalent of the problem. then a bisection and a generalized newton-based method algorithms are presented to solve it. in order to solve the quadratically constrained quadratic minimization problem within both algorithms, a semidefinite optim...