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basic_tools:variational_calculus [2018/03/15 14:29] iiqof		basic_tools:variational_calculus [2018/04/08 16:13] jakobadmin ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation
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-	Variational calculus is the alternative to the usual calculus methods when we want to find functions that minimize something. As an analogy, usually when we search for the extrema of a function, we differentiate the function, set the derivative of the function to zero and find the point that yields the extrema. Similar results can be computed by using variational calculus.In variational calculus we find extrema of functionals which are functions of functions with respect some function (instead of variable). This is extremely important for the [[frameworks:lagrangian_formalism\|Lagrangian formalism]].	+	Variational calculus is the alternative to the usual calculus methods when we want to find functions that minimize something. As an analogy, usually when we search for the extrema of a function, we differentiate the function, set the derivative of the function to zero and find the point that yields the extrema. Similar results can be computed by using variational calculus.In variational calculus we find extrema of functionals which are functions of functions with respect some function (instead of variable). This is extremely important for the [[formalisms:lagrangian_formalism\|Lagrangian formalism]].