Optimal algorithms for global optimization in case of unknown Lipschitz constant

Abstract

We consider the global optimization problem for d-variate Lipschitz functions which, in a certain sense, do not increase too slowly in a neighborhood of the global minimizer(s). On these functions, we apply optimization algorithms which use only function values. We propose two adaptive deterministic methods. The first one applies in a situation when the Lipschitz constant L is known. The second one applies if L is unknown. We show that for an optimal method, adaptiveness is necessary and that randomization (Monte Carlo) yields no further advantage. Both algorithms presented have the optimal rate of convergence. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.