Phys.org

New mathematical method improves calculations for systems limited by their smallest input

A harmonic increment provides a new way to improve smooth approximations of the minimum function. In a recent paper, published in the Journal of Inequalities and Applications, Prof. Thomas A. Weber shows how a harmonic-increment transformation brings any smooth estimate that lies strictly below the minimum closer to it, while keeping the improved estimate below the minimum, so it remains a conservative estimate of a worst realization, or weakest link.