extremumproblem
nounUK /ɪkˈstriːməm ˌprɒbləm/
US /ɪkˈstriːməm ˌprɑːbləm/
A math puzzle where you find the biggest or smallest possible answer.
The teacher gave us an extremumproblem about finding the shortest path across the playground.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A task of finding the highest or lowest value of a function.
Solving the extremumproblem required checking where the derivative equals zero.
3. A real-life situation where you must choose the best or worst outcome under limits.
Packing a suitcase is an extremumproblem: fit the most items in the least space.
4. A challenge in which the goal is to reach an extreme result, like the fastest time or lowest cost.
The engineers treated fuel efficiency as an extremumproblem to minimize waste.