In mathematics, computer science, or management science, mathematical optimization (alternatively, optimization or mathematical programming) refers to the selection of a best element 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 comprises a large area of applied mathematics. More generally, optimization includes finding "best available" values of some objective function given a defined domain, including a variety of different types of objective functions and different types of domains.

An optimization problem can be represented in the following way

Such a formulation is called an optimization problem or a mathematical programming problem (a term not directly related to computer programming, but still in use for example in linear programming - see History below). Many real-world and theoretical problems may be modeled in this general framework. Problems formulated using this technique in the fields of physics and computer vision may refer to the technique as energy minimization, speaking of the value of the function f as representing the energy of the system being modeled.

Max Volume is an American musician, radio personality and voice-over talent. Volume has had remarkable success in his career, as a popular Northern Nevada disc jockey and helped pioneer specialty programming, highlighting then emerging genres like alternative rock and new wave. Volume is a respected studio producer/engineer, with seven albums to his credit, and an accomplished guitarist and solo acoustic artist. Either solo or with The Max Volume Band, he has opened shows for Y&T, UFO, Thin Lizzy, Dave Mason, Pat Travers, Les Dudek, Steve Morse, Mickey Thomas, Foghat, Edgar Winter and Reo Speedwagon, Cosmic Free Way, among others. For three consecutive years (1989,1990 and 1991) Volume was voted "Best Ears In America" by noted industry publication Friday Morning Quarterback (FMQB). In 2001, Volume was inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. Volume is the Afternoon Drive DJ Mondays through Fridays on Reno, Nevada Classic rock station KOZZ.

Born Glenn Bailey on February 19, 1956, Volume was raised in Glendale, California. He graduated from Crescenta Valley High School in La Crescenta California in 1974. (Volume earned his Associate Degree from Truckee Meadows Community College in 2006.) Volume developed an interest in music at an early age after receiving a guitar from his aunt Christine at age nine. He soon began teaching himself to play. By age 12 Volume was performing and recording. His father, Ralph, the Chief Deputy Coroner of Los Angeles County, did not support his musical aspirations, due to the amount of dead young guitar players in the L.A. County Morgue. His mother Joni was the International President of Sweet Adelines International and often bought him song books with guitar tablature, in which he studied his heroes Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend and Neil Young.