A univariate optimization problem has exactly one decision variable. It contrasts with a multivariate problem, which optimizes two or more variables. section 2.1.1
Vehicle fuel economy
Suppose the only decision is vehicle speed, and the goal is to maximize fuel economy. The problem is univariate. Adding acceleration creates a bivariate problem; adding tire pressure creates a multivariate problem. section 2.1.1
Classify the problem along separate dimensions:
- Count decision variables: one variable is univariate; multiple variables are multivariate. section 2.1.1
- Classify variable type separately: a univariate problem may involve a continuous or discrete variable. section 2.1.1
- Distinguish variable count from other properties, including objective count, constraints, landscape, linearity, and search strategy. section 2.5
