A generalization of Lagrange multipliers

Abstract

The method of Lagrange multipliers for solving a constrained stationary-value problem is generalized to allow the functions to take values in arbitrary Banach spaces (over the real field). The set of Lagrange multipliers in a finite-dimensional problem is shown to be replaced by a continuous linear mapping between the relevant Banach spaces. This theorem is applied to a calculus of variations problem, where the functional whose stationary value is sought and the constraint functional each take values in Banach spaces. Several generalizations of the Euler-Lagrange equation are obtained.