Introduction

Abstract

There exist a good many, sometimes excellent, hooks which cover the theory and methods of solving mathematical programming problems and problems from mathematical economics. This book is characterized by the fact that it contains an exposition of some of the results of these sciences as a consequence of the fundamental principles of analytical mechanics and thermodynamics. It is addressed to a vide and diverse audience, which explains the author1s decision to use only a relatively narrow collection of results known to everyone interested in mechanics or physics or familiar from the standard courses taught in institutions of higher learning.

“… toutes les sciences réunies ne sont rien autre chose que l’intelligence humaine, qui reste toujours une, toujours la même, si varies que soient les sujets auxquels elle s1applique et qui n’en reçoit pas plus de changements que n’en apporte à la lumière du soleil la variété des objets qu!elle éclaire …” Descartes