Optimal vs. Optimum: What’s the Difference?

• Optimal

  In mathematics, computer science and operations research, mathematical optimization or mathematical programming, alternatively spelled optimisation, is the selection of a best element (with regard to some criterion) from some set of available alternatives.In the simplest case, an optimization problem consists of maximizing or minimizing a real function by systematically choosing input values from within an allowed set and computing the value of the function. The generalization of optimization theory and techniques to other formulations constitutes a large area of applied mathematics. More generally, optimization includes finding “best available” values of some objective function given a defined domain (or input), including a variety of different types of objective functions and different types of domains.

• Optimum

  In mathematics, computer science and operations research, mathematical optimization or mathematical programming, alternatively spelled optimisation, is the selection of a best element (with regard to some criterion) from some set of available alternatives.In the simplest case, an optimization problem consists of maximizing or minimizing a real function by systematically choosing input values from within an allowed set and computing the value of the function. The generalization of optimization theory and techniques to other formulations constitutes a large area of applied mathematics. More generally, optimization includes finding “best available” values of some objective function given a defined domain (or input), including a variety of different types of objective functions and different types of domains.

• Optimal (adjective)

  The best, most favourable or desirable, especially under some restriction.

  “Finding the optimal balance between features and price is a common problem.”

• Optimal (adjective)

  Describing a search algorithm that always returns the best result.

• Optimum (noun)

  The best or most favorable condition, or the greatest amount or degree possible under specific sets of comparable circumstances.

• Optimum (adjective)

  best or most advantageous; surpassing all others.

ncG1vNJzZmilkZ67pbXFn5yrnZ6Ysm%2B6xK1mqKiknrqiuIyvqmanoKm2rsHMaA%3D%3D