Generalized Concavity

Concavity of a function is used as a hypothesis in most of the important theorems concerning extremum problems in mathematical economics, optimization, engineering and management science. Generalized concavity refers to the many nonconcave functions that have properties similar to concave functions. Originally published in 1988, this enduring text presents: a review of concavity and the basics of generalized concavity; applications of generalized concavity to economics; special function forms such as composite forms, products, ratios and quadratic functions; fractional programming; and concave transformable functions.

Mordecai Avriel is Director of Analytical Development at Bank Hapoalim in Tel Aviv, Israel, and is Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

Erwin Diewert is Professor of Applied Mathematics at Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan.

Israel Zang is President of the Academic College of Tel Aviv Jaffa.