Célfüggvényhez

Célfüggvényhez is a Hungarian term that translates to "objective function" in English. It is a fundamental concept in optimization problems, particularly in mathematics, computer science, and operations research. An objective function is a mathematical expression that quantifies the goal of an optimization problem. Its value is to be either maximized or minimized, depending on the specific problem.

In essence, the objective function defines what we are trying to achieve. For example, in a business context, an objective function might represent profit, which a company would want to maximize. Alternatively, it could represent cost, which a company would aim to minimize. In engineering, an objective function might represent the efficiency of a system, which would be maximized.

The process of optimization involves finding the values of certain variables (decision variables) that result in the optimal value of the objective function, subject to a set of constraints. These constraints represent limitations or conditions that must be satisfied. The choice of the objective function is crucial as it directly determines the solution obtained. Different objective functions can lead to different optimal solutions even when applied to the same set of constraints. Understanding and correctly formulating the objective function is therefore a critical first step in any optimization endeavor.