continuous optimization

{{Short description|Branch of optimization in applied mathematics}}

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Continuous optimization is a branch of optimization in applied mathematics.{{cite book|author1=V. Jeyakumar|author2=Alexander M. Rubinov|title=Continuous Optimization: Current Trends and Modern Applications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QePsbLIwwEoC&q=%22Continuous+optimization%22|date=9 March 2006|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-0-387-26771-5}}

As opposed to discrete optimization, the variables used in the objective function are required to be continuous variables—that is, to be chosen from a set of real values between which there are no gaps (values from intervals of the real line). Because of this continuity assumption, continuous optimization allows the use of calculus techniques.