What is the definition of 'optimization'?

Answer 1

By Merriam-Webster dictionary, to optimize is to make as perfect, effective, or functional as possible. In engineering, optimization is a collection of methods and techniques to design and make use of engineering systems as perfectly as possible with respect to specific parameters. In industrial engineering, one typical optimization problem is in inventory control. For this problem, we want to reduce the costs associated with item stocking and handling in a warehouse. In the simplest form of this problem, the parameters to be optimized are the quantity of inventory required to fill existing and anticipated orders, when that inventory has to be available and the physical capacity of the warehouse. Optimization requires the representation of the problem in a mathematical model where the decision variables are the parameters of the problem.

Answer 2

to make the best or most effective use of (a situation, opportunity, or resource)