ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation

Alright kiddo, so you know how sometimes when you're playing a game, you have to make decisions about what to do next? Well, the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation is like a fancy way to figure out the best decision to make in a game or activity where there are different options with different outcomes.

Let's say you're playing a game where you have to get from one point to another, but there are obstacles in the way. You have to decide which path to take to get to the other point with the least amount of trouble or time. The Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation helps you figure out the best path to take by looking at all the different possible paths and the obstacles in the way.

Now, let's get a little technical. The equation is made up of three parts: the Hamiltonian, the Jacobi equation, and the Bellman equation. The Hamiltonian helps you figure out how to get from one point to another without hitting any obstacles. The Jacobi equation helps you figure out the benefits or costs of taking each path. And the Bellman equation helps you figure out the overall value or cost of each path.

Think of it like this: the Hamiltonian is the rulebook for how to play the game and how to get from one point to another. The Jacobi equation is kind of like a cheat sheet that tells you which paths are good or bad based on how easy or hard they are. And the Bellman equation is like a scorecard that keeps track of which path is the best, based on all the different factors involved.

So, by using the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation, you can figure out the best path to take in a game or activity with obstacles, by looking at all the different possible paths and the benefits or costs of each one. It's like a mathematical shortcut to help you make the best decision possible!