EXAMPLE 4.

8 DETECTION OF A CONVEX REGION

Does the following set of constraints that form a closed region form a convex region?

-x12 + x2 1
x1 x2 -2

Solution. A plot of the two functions indicates that the region circumscribed is
closed. The arrows in Figure E4.8 designate the directions in which the inequalities
hold. Write the inequality constraints as gi 0. Therefore:

g1(x) = -x12 + x2 1 0
g2(x) = x1 x2 + 2 0

That the enclosed region is convex can be demonstrated by showing that both g1(x)
and g2(x) are concave functions:
2 0
[1 ()] = [ ] negative definite
0 0
0 0
[2 ()] = [ ] negative semidefinite
0 0

Because all eigenvalues are zero or negative, according to Table 4.1 both g1 and g2
are concave and the region is convex.

FIGURE E4.8 Convex region composed of two concave functions.

EJEMPLO 4.8 DETECCIN DE UNA REGIN CONVEXA

El siguiente conjunto de restricciones que forman una regin cerrada forma una
regin convexa?
-x12 + x2 1
x1 x2 -2

Solucin. Una grfica de las dos funciones indica que la regin circunscrita es
cerrada. Las flechas de la figura E4.8 designan las direcciones en las que se
mantienen las desigualdades. Escriba las restricciones de desigualdad como gi 0.
Por lo tanto:
g1(x) = -x12 + x2 1 0
g2(x) = x1 x2 + 2 0

Que la regin cerrada es convexa puede demostrarse mostrando que tanto g1(x) y
g2(x) son funciones cncavas:
2 0
[1 ()] = [ ] Negativo definido
0 0
0 0
[2 ()] = [ ] Negativo semidefinito
0 0

Debido a que todos los valores propios son cero o negativo, de acuerdo con la Tabla
4.1 tanto g1 como g2 son cncavos y la regin es convexa.

FIGURA E4.8 Regin convexa compuesta por dos funciones cncavas.

EXAMPLE 4.9 CONSTRUCTION OF A CONVEX REGION

Construct the region given by the following inequality constraints; is it convex?

x1 6; x2 6; x1 0; x1 + x2 6; x2 0

Solution. See Figure E4.9 for the region delineated by the inequality constraints. By
visual inspection, the region is convex. This set of linear inequality constraints forms
a convex region because all the constraints are concave. In this case the convex
region is closed.

FIGURE E4.9 Diagram of region defined by linear inequality constraints.

EJEMPLO 4.9 CONSTRUCCIN DE UNA REGIN CONVEXA

Construya la regin dada por las siguientes restricciones de desigualdad; Es

convexa?
x1 6; x2 6; x1 0; x1 + x2 6; x2 0

Solucin. Ver Figura E4.9 para la regin delineada por las restricciones de
desigualdad. Mediante inspeccin visual, la regin es convexa. Este conjunto de
restricciones de desigualdad lineal forma una regin convexa porque todas las
restricciones son cncavas. En este caso la regin convexa est cerrada.

FIGURA E4.9 Diagrama de regin definido por restricciones de desigualdad lineal.