Use of local estimates in the solution of variational problems by the method of limited search (Q1057481)

We consider a method of reducing the search in the solution of a variational problem. We propose a principle of selection of necessarily nonoptimal trajectories from a given set of incomplete admissible trajectories, based on the use of local estimates of a functional. We determine conditions under which the rejection of isolated intermediate solutions does not lower the accuracy of the final result obtained. We give an example of the use of local estimates in the numerical solution of a dynamical optimization problem.