In search of optimal

In life, everyone has to make targeted decisions. It is always desirable that these decisions be best in the appropriate situation. Today, a scientific discipline has developed “Study of operations", which is based on the principle of optimality, reflecting the meaning of a maximum or minimum, and where a strictly scientific, mathematical approach is applied to a wide range of sociological, economic, managerial and other issues. At an accessible to a wide range of readers, an elementary level in the book sets out the main stages of development of the concept of optimality. The outstanding role of Russian, Soviet and Russian mathematical schools in the theory and practice of optimal methods is reflected. A special place is given optimality for various restrictions, including restrictions on resources in the economy, for competition