Getting concave function accepted by CVX

Uncategorized
May 14, 2024
M

Part of my problem is maximizing the minimum magnitude squared of vector elements (x = [x_i]). This is not a convex problem as min is taking convex expressions.

One way to work with it is by maximizing g = log_prod(d(x)), where d=[d_i] and d_i = |x_i|^2. log_prod is concave and nonincreasing, and d is convex of x. Such composition is concave, so maximizing g is a convex problem. However, CVX is not accepting such formulation.

Why is it difficult for CVX to discover such concavity? does it help to build an atom for g?

M

"Such composition is concave, "

How did you conclude that? I am not aware of any such composition rule. Please provide a proof in accordance with the FAQ.

M
Replying to #2

Thanks for reply.
Assume f(x) = h(g(x)), then f is concave if h is concave and nonincreasing and g is convex (see Convex Optimization by Boyd and Vandenberghe, section 3.24).
In our case h == log_prod. As mentioned in the referecen manual of CVX, log_prod is concave and non increasing. Also, we have g == d, which is convex of x as it takes the absolute square element-wise.

M

Yes, I am well aware of that book and section. There is no such composition rule listed there.