Continuous optimization is the study of problems in which we wish to opti mize (either maximize or minimize) a continuous function (usually of several variables) often subject to a collection of restrictions on these variables. It has its foundation in the development of calculus by Newton and Leibniz in the 17* DEGREES century. Nowadys, continuous optimization problems are widespread in the mathematical modelling of real world systems for a very broad range of applications. Solution methods for large multivariable constrained continuous optimiza tion problems using computers began with the...