This book is intended as a text covering the central concepts of practical optimization techniques. It is designed for either self-study by professionals or classroom work at the undergraduate or graduate level for students who have a technical background in engineering, mathematics, or science. Like the field of optimization itself, which involves many classicaf disciplines, the book should be useful to system analysts, operations researchers, numerical analysts, management scientists, and other specialists from the host ofdisciplines from which practicaloptimization appli- cations are drawn. The prerequisites for convenient use of the book are relatively modest; the prime requirement being some familiarity with introductory elements of linear algebra. Certain sections and developments do assume some knowledge of more advanced concepts of linear algebra, such as eigenvector analysisk_or some background in sets of real numbers, but the text is structured so that the mainstrean/ of the development can be faithfully pursued without reliance on trus more.advanced background material.