Dogs Don't Need Calculus
Michael Bolt, Daniel C. Isaksen · College Mathematics Journal · 2010
SummaryMany optimization problems can be solved without resorting to calculus. This article develops a new variational method for optimization that relies on inequalities. The method is illustrated by four examples, the last of which provides a completely algebraic solution to the problem of minimizing the time it takes a dog to retrieve a thrown ball, demonstrating that dogs don't need calculus.