Objective Function (mathematics)

An objective function in mathematics is a formula used to evaluate how well a particular solution or decision performs according to specific criteria. Think of it as a way to measure success—such as minimizing costs or maximizing profits. When solving problems, especially in optimization, the goal is to find the solution that makes this function as good as possible (highest or lowest). It guides decision-making by quantitatively expressing the goal of the problem, helping identify the best choice among many options based on the defined measure.